⚽ | GOL México anota el primer gol del partido por conducto de Oribe Peralta y gran pase de 'Gio' https://t.co/2EgY2861Ve
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) October 12, 2016
LA Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos has been called up to the Mexican National Team for two 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches in November, the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol announced today. The Galaxy’s leading scorer this year will first join his country for a match against the United States Men’s National Team in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, Nov. 11 at MAPFRE Stadium. In their second contest, Mexico will travel to Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama for a game against the Panamanian National Team on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Dos Santos will depart following the Galaxy’s match this Sunday against the Colorado Rapids in the second leg of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs in the Western Conference Semifinals. The two FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches for Mexico will mark the beginning of the CONCACAF Hexagonal Round, which also features Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.
The Galaxy forward most recently represented Mexico when he captained his country in matches against New Zealand and Panama in October, scoring a goal and recording a game-winning assist between the two games. The 27-year-old forward has made nearly 100 appearances for Mexico all time, scoring 18 goals. This year, Dos Santos recorded 14 goals and 12 assists during the MLS Regular Season in addition to notching a goal and assist during the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs. He is one of just two players to double-digit goals and assists this year during the MLS Regular Season.
The Galaxy forward began his international career with the Mexico U-17 side when he helped win the 2005 U-17 World Championship and earned the tournament’s Silver Ball award. He also spent time with Mexico’s U-20 side at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, leading his team to a quarterfinals appearance. In 2012, the attacker helped Mexico make history by scoring three goals en route to winning the 2012 London Olympics Gold Medal, the first time Mexico has received gold in Olympic soccer
In 2007, Dos Santos earned his first cap with the senior Mexican national team, making an appearance against Panama. His first goal for Mexico came in 2009, when he recorded a brace in a match against Venezuela. Since then, he has made over 85 appearances for his country in competitions including two FIFA World Cups and multiple FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and CONCACAF Gold Cups. He helped lead Mexico to the 2011 Gold Cup championship, scoring a goal against Colorado Rapids’ goalkeeper Tim Howard in the final.
Mexico National Team Roster:
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Granada/Spain), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca/Mexico) y Jesús Corona (Cruz Azul/Mexico).
Defenders: Diego Reyes (Espanyol/Spain), Hector Moreno (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Carlos Salcedo (Fiorentina/Italy), Miguel Layún (FC Porto/Portugal), Hugo Ayala (Tigres/Mexico), Rafael Márquez (Atlas/Mexico), Nestor Araujo (Club Santos/Mexico), Oswaldo AlanÃs (Chivas Guadalajara/Mexico).
Midfielders: Hector Herrera (FC Porto/Portugal), Jonathan dos Santos (Villarreal/Spain), Andres Guardado (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands),Marco Fabián (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy/USA), Jesús Dueñas (Tigres/Mexico), OrbelÃn Pineda (Chivas Guadalajar/Mexico).
Forwards: Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad/Spain), Jesús Manuel Corona (FC Porto/Portugal), Raúl Jimenez (Benfica/Portugal), Javier Hernández (Bayer Leverkusen/Germany), Javier Aquino (Tigres/Mexico), Hirving Lozano (Club Pachuca/Mexico), Oribe Peralta (Club América/Mexico).
LA Galaxy Season Ticket Memberships for the 2017 MLS season are available for purchase now. Season Ticket Members and Galaxy fans can go to www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/seasontickets to secure their 2017 LA Galaxy Season Ticket package.
Tickets to the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs are now on sale now to the general public. Fans can purchase 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoff individual tickets by clicking here, at www.lagalaxy.com/playoffs or by calling 877-3GALAXY (342-5299).
