Jimenez, Gimenez lead Mexico squad for friendlies

Forwards Raul Jimenez and Santiago Gimenez were among 10 Europe-based players included in Mexico's squad on Thursday for friendlies against Japan and South Korea.

Manager Javier Aguirre also named San Diego FC winger Hirving Lozano and Cruz Azul midfielder Carlos Rodriguez in his 26-man squad for next month's matches in the United States.

Mexico will meet Japan in Oakland, California, on September 6 and South Korea in Nashville, Tennessee, three days later.

Aguirre has said he will use the matches to help fine-tune preparations for next year's FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada.

El Tri, which won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July by defeating the United States in the final, is currently 13th in FIFA's world rankings.

Mexico squad:

Goalkeepers: Luis Angel Malagon, Raul Rangel, Carlos Moreno.

Defenders: Rodrigo Huescas, Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Juan Jose Sanchez Purata, Jesus Orozco, Jesus Gallardo, Mateo Chavez.

Midfielders: Edson Alvarez, Erik Lira, Marcel Ruiz, Carlos Rodriguez, Orbelin Pineda, Erick Sanchez.

Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Diego Lainez, Cesar Huerta, Raul Jimenez, Santiago Gimenez, Hirving Lozano, Alexis Vega, German Berterame.