Mexico vs. Algeria
International Friendly
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020 | 2 p.m. CT
Cars Jeans Stadion | The Hague, Netherlands
Broadcast Schedule:
Spanish TV | Univision, TUDN
Streaming | Univision NOW, TUDN.com
Sporting Kansas City striker Alan Pulido will be seeking his first cap with the Mexico Men's National Team in almost two years when El Tri faces Algeria in an international friendly on Tuesday at Cars Jeans Stadion in The Hague, Netherlands. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CT with live Spanish coverage on Univision, Univision NOW, TUDN and TUDN.com.
Hot off a devastating performance in Sporting's 2-1 road win over the Houston Dynamo on Oct. 3, Pulido traveled across the Atlantic to join a 26-man squad assembled by El Tri head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino. The 29-year-old was an unused sub in last Wednesday's 1-0 friendly victory over the Netherlands, which saw Wolverhampton striker Raul Jimenez provide the decisive breakthrough on a 60th-minute penalty kick.
History could be in the making on Tuesday, with Pulido in contention to become the first player to earn a Mexico cap while playing club soccer for Sporting Kansas City. He is part of a star-studded attack that also includes European-based stars such as Jimenez of English Premier League and Jesus Corona of Portuguese powerhouse FC Porto. Additionally, Pulido is one of three MLS players in the Mexican squad alongside LA Galaxy's Jonathan dos Santos and Inter Miami CF's Rodolfo Pizarro.
Pulido, who joined Sporting Kansas City last December on a club-record transfer fee from Chivas de Guadalajara, has recorded five goals in 13 career caps for Mexico. He notably represented his country at the 2011 Copa America and 2014 World Cup and last played for El Tri in November 2018.
Mexico comes in at No. 11 in the latest FIFA rankings, the highest of any Concacaf nation. Algeria are ranked 35th, fourth-highest among the African nations, and in 2019 were crowned champions of the Africa Cup of Nations behind standout performances from Manchester City playmaker Riyad Mahrez.
Now in his first MLS season, Pulido has played an integral role for a Sporting Kansas City outfit that has moved within a point of first place in the Western Conference. The versatile forward is tied atop the club scoring chart with six goals in all competitions, including a brace in the recent defeat of Houston that resulted in MLS Player of the Week honors. Pulido is tied for first among MLS newcomers with nine combined goals (five) and assists (four) in the regular season.
Following Tuesday's friendly, Pulido will adhere to mandated health and safety protocols in accordance with international travel before rejoining Sporting Kansas City later this month for the final stretch of the MLS regular season.
Mexico MNT Roster
Goalkeepers: Rodolfo Cota (Leon), Hugo Gonzalez (Monterrey), Alfredo Talavera (Pumas)
Defenders: Nestor Araujo (Celta Vigo), Luis Rodriguez (Tigres), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey), Cesar Montes (Monterrey), Gilberto Sepulveda (Chivas), Hector Moreno (Al-Gharafa), Gerardo Arteaga (Genk), Alejandro Gomez (Boavista), Jorge Sanchez (America)
Midfielders: Diego Lainez (Real Betis), Edson Alvarez (Ajax), Luis Romo (Cruz Azul), Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Carlos Rodriguez (Monterrey), Hector Herrera (Atletico Madrid), Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Omar Govea (Zulte Waregem), Rodolfo Pizarro (Inter Miami), Orbelin Pineda (Cruz Azul)
Forwards: Raul Jimenez (Wolves), Henry Martin (America), Alan Pulido (Sporting Kansas City), Jesus Corona (Porto)
