HOUSTON Mexico has been allowed to replace up to five of its suspended players in the Gold Cup and will fly three players to Houston on Monday.
The region's ruling body (CONCACAF) announced through a statement late Sunday night that the Gold Cup Organizing Committee has allowed the replacements after evaluating the Mexican federation's request filed almost two weeks ago.
The Mexican federation said through a statement, that Paul Aguilar of Club America, Hector Reynoso of Chivas Guadalajara and Hiram Mier of Monterrey will join the rest of the team in Houston.
Chivas goalkeeper Luis Michel and teammate Marco Fabian will also be available to Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre if needed, the statement said. Michel and Fabian will join the Under-22 team led by coach Luis Fernando Tena in preparation for the Copa America next month but are "on call" for the Gold Cup.
Mexico has played its last four matches with 17 players on its roster after the suspended players tested positive for clembuterol, a drug used to treat breathing disorders, during the team's Mexico training camp in Mexico prior to the Gold Cup.
Guillermo Ochoa, Francisco Rodriguez, Antonio Naelson "Sinha," Edgar Dueñas and Christian Bermudez tested postive during a test imposed by the Mexican federation on May 20. Because they all tested positive, the federation said it believes the substance was ingested through meat.
The same players were submitted to a second test at a UCLA laboratory on June 10. Those results were negative.
The May 20 test included two samples, "A" and "B." The results for sample A came back positive, prompting the Mexican federation to suspend the players. The levels of the illegal substance in sample "B" were released last week. The second test on the five players was conducted prior to the unveiling of the sample "B" results.
It is not known if the three players flying to Houston will land in time to join the team for a scheduled morning training session.
Mexico is preparing for a semifinal match Wednesday against Honduras at Reliant Stadium.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
