Just hours ahead of their second group stage match against Cuba reports are circulating that five Mexican national team players have failed a drug test and have been removed from the squad pending further investigation.
The five include Guillermo Ochoa, Maza Rodriquez, Antonio “Sinha” Naelson, Edgar Duenas and Christian Bermudez. Rumors are circulating that Ricardo Osorio also failed the test but that has not been confirmed.
The test was administered by the Mexican Football Association in May and analyzed at the University of California at Los Angeles. Results showed that the five players tested positive for Clenbutrol, a banned growth enhancement substance that is illegally used on show animals such as cows, sheep and lamb.
It’s been made clear that these issues are in the early stages and no suspensions have been made. The FMF is looking into the results to ensure validity but have removed the players in what looks to be a precautionary measure.
The ramifications of these losses could be big with all five players considered integral to El Tri’s plans, especially Ochoa who is the number one ‘keeper. Despite their ultimate ruling the five are not likely to play tonight against Cuba and could be scratches for a huge showdown against Costa Rica in the final game of the group stage and the knockout stages depending on the length of the investigation.
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com and contributes to Soccerlens.com for the Gold Cup. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.
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