Chivas USA forward Julio Morales features in friendlies for Mexico U-20s

Last week, Chivas USA announced that forward Julio Morales had been called up to the Mexico U-20 training camp taking place as preparation ahead of the U-20 World Cup that will begin in June. As part of the camp, the team had a pair of friendlies against American college teams, Notre Dame and reigning NCAA champion Indiana, something that is an annual tradition, apparently.

In the first match, against Notre Dame last Friday, Morales started the match, which Notre Dame won 3-2. Although the Chivas player didn't get on the scoresheet, he had two shots overall and a shot on goal during the match. Pachuca forward Marco Bueno scored both goals for Mexico in the match.

In the second match, against IU, Morales came off the bench and registered two shots in Mexico's 1-0 win. Alfonso Gonzalez scored the winner for the visitors.

It appears this group consisted of players who had gotten the breakthrough for their club teams, along with some who hadn't. Besides Morales, one other MLS player, FC Dallas goalkeeper Richard Sanchez, was on the roster. Based on the box scores for these games, here's who else was on the roster for Mexico during the training camp, along with their clubs, where I could find them:

GK: Richard Sanchez (FC Dallas), Gibran Lajud (Cruz Azul)

D: Hedgardo Marin (Chivas de Guadalajara), Antonio Briseño (Atlas), Carlos Guzman (Morelia), Francisco Flores (Cruz Azul), Jose Abella (Santos Laguna), Pedro Hernandez

M: Carlos Treviño (Atlas), Jonathan Espericueta (UANL Tigres), Arturo Alfonso Gonzalez (Atlas), Armando Zamorano (Jaguares de Chiapas), Uvaldo Luna (UANL Tigres), Candido Ramirez (Santos Laguna)

F: Marco Bueno (Pachuca), Julio Morales (Chivas USA),

Position not listed: Rodrigo Gonzalez, Jose Ramirez, Walter Sandoval (Santos Laguna)

Given the mix of players in the training camp, and the players who may be called in for the 30-man roster for the World Cup, it will be interesting to see if Morales makes the plane. Still, best of luck to the Goat on the international front!

Hat tip to Travis Clark for sending me links on the box scores from each match.

What do you think? Leave a comment below!