Mexico coach Javier Aguirre picks squad for World Cup qualifiers with Costa Rica, Honduras

Mexico chooses squad for Costa Rica, Honduras

MEXICO CITY — Injured Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez was left off Mexico’s squad for World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Honduras next month, while young forward Nestor Calderon was added.

Marquez, who missed last month’s 2-1 home victory over the United States, remains sidelined with a leg injury. He has not played for Mexico since Javier Aguirre took over as coach in April.

Calderon, who has five goals in five games for Mexican club Toluca, takes the place of injured Arsenal forward Carlos Vela.

Mexico plays at Costa Rica on Sept. 5 and is home to Honduras on Sept. 9 in a tight fight to qualify for next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

After six games, Costa Rica leads the North and Central American and Caribbean region with 12 points, followed by the United States and Honduras (10), Mexico (9) and El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago (5).

Mexico will wrap up qualifying on Oct. 10 at home with El Salvador, and then plays at Trinidad and Tobago on Oct. 14.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa, Jose de Jesus Corona.

Defenders: Jose Antonio Castro, Efrain Juarez, Jonny Magallon, Aaron Galindo, Ricardo Osorio, Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcido, Oscar Rojas.

Midfielders: Israel Castro, Gerardo Torrado, Andres Guardado, Pablo Barrera, Giovani Dos Santos.

Forwards: Nery Castillo, Guillermo Franco, Miguel Sabah, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Nestor Calderon.