MEXICO CITY -- On Tuesday afternoon, Jonathan dos Santos, Marco Fabian and Alan Pulido took center stage and expressed their thoughts ahead of the Mexico national team's trip to the U.S. to take on New Zealand in Nashville on Oct. 8 and Panama in Chicago on Oct. 11. However, very little emphasis was put on the upcoming friendly games. All eyes are already set on Nov. 11, Mexico's opening match of the Hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying against the United States in Columbus, Ohio.
Considering that Europe-based players like Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado, Hector Moreno, Jesus "Tecatito" Corona and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez were left off Mexico's friendly roster, there are several players with an outstanding opportunity to convince Colombian head coach Juan Carlos Osorio that they're deserving of a call-up for that crucial Columbus clash.
Here's a look at five players fighting for spots:
Editor's Note: On Thursday afternoon, the Mexico national team announced that Jonathan dos Santos, along with Oswaldo Alanis, would be left out of the squad to travel to Nashville after suffering an injury.
Jonathan dos Santos, MF, Villarreal
The 26-year-old midfielder leads the pack. His performances with Villarreal CF in the Europa League and against Real Madrid in La Liga (a 1-1 draw) granted him the chance to get a look from Osorio and his coaching staff.
"In the national team, it's true that there's lots of competition, and that's great," said Dos Santos on Tuesday. "It's great to have a lot of great people in my position.
"Over at Villarreal I've had lots of minutes, but an injury prevented me from continuing the good streak. I've worked really hard to get another call-up. Now it's my job to maintain my place here."
One of the aspects that Osorio's Mexico must improve upon is its ability to generate a sense of fluidity when the opponent decides to sit back and close down space for El Tri's attackers. "Jona's" return to the national team fold gives Osorio another option, other than Rafael Marquez, to jumpstart the attack by breaking down tight defenses. This could certainly be a huge help come Hex time.
In the coming days, Dos Santos will have a golden opportunity to be El Tri's midfield commander, and he will want to take advantage of every second.
Orbelin Pineda, MF, Chivas
"I want them to remember me as a footballer who gave everything on the field, a footballer who never settled for just anything. I want them to remember me as someone who left his heart on the pitch." Pineda told ESPN FC last year.
Pineda's hunger to be remembered as a superb footballer and his rapid assimilation as one of Chivas' most important players make him an intriguing option for Osorio. Herrera has given very few formidable displays with the national team, and it shouldn't surprise that if Pineda takes advantage of his minutes against New Zealand and Panama, he could start over the FC Porto player in Columbus.
Marco Fabian, MF, Eintracht Frankfurt
Fabian's Bundesliga start with Eintracht Frankfurt has been among the most important pieces of news in Mexican football in the second half of 2016. In four appearances for Frankfurt, Fabian has transformed into the team's offensive engine -- scoring two goals and assisting two others. His ability to score stunning goals is undeniable. However, doubts linger as to whether he can maintain the level of consistency that's needed to lead the national team out of difficult situations. His camaraderie with the Dos Santos brothers, "Chicharito" and Carlos Vela makes him an option capable of strengthening the unity in the team.
Giovani dos Santos, FW, LA Galaxy
It took more than a year to see "Gio" fly down to Mexico City to once again join the national team. In that time, Mexico defeated the U.S. 3-2 in the CONCACAF Cup in Oct. 2015 and suffered a 7-0 thrashing against Chile in the quarterfinals of the Copa America Centenario this past summer. Dos Santos' return to El Tri comes at a critical moment for Osorio, as he tries to recuperate lost trust after such an emphatic defeat.
With Dos Santos in the national team picture, El Tri has a player who has proven in the past that he can be one of the team's main attacking threats. His experience could be very beneficial, keeping in mind that young players like Hirving "Chucky" Lozano (21 years old) and Corona (23) have dealt with most of Mexico's attacking responsibilities during the Osorio era.
Isaac Brizuela, MF, Chivas
While the Dos Santos brothers, Fabian and Pineda all have the potential to appear in El Tri's XI against the U.S. next month, it's unlikely that Brizuela will feature from the start. Nevertheless, "Conejito" could stamp his name into the roster with a commanding performance down Mexico's right flank -- similar to those he puts together with Chivas. Javier Aquino's contributions to the team haven't been exceptional, and Brizuela will have a great chance to impress Osorio in the coming days with Aquino and Leon winger Elias Hernandez missing from the squad.