LA Galaxy Designated Player Giovani dos Santos has been called into the Mexican National Team for friendlies on October 8th and 11th, the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol announced today.
Dos Santos will depart the LA Galaxy following their October 1st matchup with FC Dallas and return to the team to be available for selection when the Galaxy next play, on October 16th, 2016, against the Dynamo in Houston, Texas. Meaning that the Galaxy’s in-form creator won’t be missing any games for his club.
Giovani dos Santos has over 100 international appearances with Mexico but hasn’t played with the team since Mexico won the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He’s scored 17 goals for El Tri during his career, and has scored 14 goals and added 12 assists for the LA Galaxy in 2016.
Mexico will travel to Nashville Tennessee on October 8, 2016, to take on New Zealand at FedEx Field at 3 PM PT. Mexico holds a 4-1-0 record against New Zealand, all-time. Their most recent matchup, a November 20, 2013, match in Wellington, New Zealand saw Mexico win 4-2 in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
Dos Santos and Mexico will then travel to Bridgeview, Illinois to take on Panama at Toyota Park on October 11, 2016, at 6:30 PM PT. Mexico holds a 10-4-2 (W-L-D) record against Panama, all-time.
This is a well-deserved reward for Giovani dos Santos who has struggled to find a foothold with his national team since joining Major League Soccer and the LA Galaxy. And while a lackluster performance in 2015 saw Dos Santos on the outside looking in this could start to change a shaky and unknown relationship with Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio.
The LA Galaxy and Giovani dos Santos will face-off against FC Dallas on Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes at 6PM on Saturday, October 1st. Corner of the Galaxy will lead you up to kickoff with our special pre-game coverage of this match starting at 5 PM PT.