Mexico Vs Chile: the reason why Chucky Lozano was not called up by Gerardo Martino

Mexico vs Chile will face each other again and if anything is surprising, it is that Gerardo Martino did not call up Chucky Lozano or the Mexicans playing in Europe. 

This set off alarm bells for El Tri fans, because although in most of the duels played between these two teams, Mexico has won more victories, the painful memory of the 7-0 defeat that La Roja inflicted on the Aztecs in the Copa América Centenario 2016 is still fresh in their minds.  

The real reason why Chucky Lozano wasn't called up

Not only Hirving Lozano was not called up by Martino: other Mexican stars playing in Europe such as Raúl Jiménez, Tecatito Corona, Erick Gutiérrez, Gerardo Arteaga, Andrés Guardado, Diego Lainez and Johan Vásquez were also not called up for the match. 

Why weren't they called up to the team? 

The explanation is very simple: because the Mexico vs Chile match is a friendly and is not part of any FIFA date or any official competition, players who are outside of Mexico or who play in another league and who are active, are not obliged to be sent to the match by their respective clubs. 

In other words, since these are not official competitions, the local teams can freely use their players to play their matches. 

The problem with FIFA dates and call-ups

Usually when there are World Cup or Intercontinental Cup qualifiers, local soccer in many countries has to come to a halt. 

This is because national teams must be able to count on their top stars to play important matches in international competitions. 

It is therefore normal that when these games are played, local tournaments stop for up to 1 week. 

For this reason, Gerardo Martino did not call up players such as Andres Guardado or Diego Lainez of Betis, or Johan Vazquez of Genoa. 

Chile did not call up the Golden Generation either

Mexico is not the only team that will be without its stars, as Chile will also be without the players who are part of the so-called Golden Generation. 

In other words, players such as Alexis Sánchez, Gary Medel, Edu Vargas and Claudio Bravo will not see action against the Aztecs. 

In fact, the only Chilean player who is currently playing in Europe, and who has been called up, is Joaquín Montecinos of Audax Italiano, since most of the La Roja players who will appear against Mexico, play in the local Chilean league, the Uruguayan league or even in the Liga MX. 

And from this league, Martín Lasarte, the coach of La Roja, could not call Víctor Dávila, who will play with Leon in the final of Liga MX against Atlas. 

Felipe Mora, who will play the MLS Cup Final with the Portland Timbers against New York City FC, could not be called up either. 

Mexico vs Chile to showcase the stars of the future

Because the match between El Tri and La Roja is not part of a FIFA date, Gerardo Martino had to put together his lineup combining young players from Liga MX as well as MLS. 

But this means that young talents like Julián Araujo, Benjamín Galdames and Marcelo Flores will be able to get minutes on the field. 

Therefore, players like Uriel Antuna or Sebastián Córdova will have to take advantage of this opportunity, to earn a place in the Mexican team that is looking to reach the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.