Former Atlanta United manager Tata Martino has included the LA Galaxy's Jonathan dos Santos in his first Mexico squad for friendlies later this month against Chile and Paraguay.
But Martino left LAFC's Carlos Vela out of the group despite an MLS Player of the Week performance Sunday evening in his side's 4-1 rout of the Portland Timbers at Banc of California Stadium. Vela was a crucial part of Mexico's squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Martino called the attacker "world-class" player back in January.
Also of note, Martino did not call in Galaxy teenager Efrain Alvarez, who has no senior caps but has most recently represented Mexico at the youth level. Alvarez is also eligible for the US. The Philadelphia Union's Marco Fabian was also not called up.
Both Dos Santos and Vela have played all 180 minutes of MLS action for their club teams. Vela's goal and two assists against Portland helped LAFC to a second consecutive win. The Galaxy split their first two matches.
