Blanco, Hernandez dropped by Mexico vs. Iceland

Mar 19, 2010 - 11:21 PM NEW YORK(AP) -- Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Javier Hernandez have been dropped from Mexico's roster for Wednesday's exhibition against Iceland in Charlotte, N.C., after scoring this week against North Korea.

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who played in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the North Koreans, was among 18 players selected for the match along with defender Jonny Magallon and forward Adolfo Bautista. The entire El Tri roster is from Mexican clubs.

Forward Adolfo Bautista, who has scored nine goals in 31 appearances, is on the roster for the first time since August 2008, when Sven-Goran Eriksson was coach.

"I know this is a very important chance for me and my career," Bautista said. "I'm going to take full advantage."

Iceland selected just two foreign-based players: Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson of Alkmaar in the Netherlands.

Mexico is 3-0 this year in World Cup warmups, beating Bolivia 5-0 and New Zealand 2-0, the latter with Mexico's Europe-based regulars.

With the busiest schedule of national teams ahead of the World Cup, it also plays Ecuador on May 7 at East Rutherford, N.J.; Senegal three days later in Chicago; Angola on May 13 at Houston; Chile on May 16 at Mexico City; England on May 24 at Wembley; the Netherlands on May 26 at Freiburg, Germany; and Italy on June 3 at Brussels.

Mexico plays host South Africa in the World Cup opener on June 11 and also meets France and Uruguay in Group A.

The rosters:

Iceland=

Goalkeepers: Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson (Hafnarfjordur), Fjalar Thorgeirsson (Fylkir)

Defenders: Valur Gislason (Fylkir), Arnor Sveinn Adalsteinsson (Breidablik), Heimir Einarsson (Akraness), Gudmundur R. Gunnarson (KR Reykjavik), Jon Gudni Fjoluson (Fram Reykjavik), Skuli Jon Fridgeirsson (KR Reykjavik)

Midfielders: Bjarni Gudjonsson (KR Reykjavic), Johann Berg Gudmundsson (Alkmaar, Netherlands), Baldur Sigurdsson (KR Reykjavik), Matthias Vilhjalmsson (Hafnarfjordur), Gudmundur Kristjansson (Breidablik), Gunnar Mar Gudmundsson (Hafnarfjordur), Oskar Hauksson (Reykjavik), Steinthor Thorsteinsson (Stjarnan), Gunnar Orn Jonsson (KR Reykjavik)

Forwards: Bjorgolfur Takefusa (KR Reykjavik), Atli Gudnason (Hafnarfjordur), Alfred Finnbogason (Breidablik), Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Alkmaar, Netherlands)

Mexico=

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Club America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Chivas Guadalajara)

Defenders: Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Chivas Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (Club America)

Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Braulio Luna (San Luis), Jesus Molina (Tigres), Adrian Aldrete (Monarcas)

Forwards: Adolfo Bautista (Chivas Guadalajara), Alberto Medina (Chivas Guadalajara), Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Angel Eduardo Reyna (Club America), Miguel Sabah (Monarcas), Vicente Matias Vuoso (Santos)