El Tri Watch: 5 Ecuadorian Footballers Who Could Put Mexico in Distress

Mexico are ready to face Ecuador next weekend in this year's first FIFA date. It will be the teams' second meeting in less than 12 months. El Tri need to be especially careful with five opponents.

These players have proved to be lethal when they have the ball, either to finish a play or to create a goal opportunity for their team-mates.

Mexico will play with a stellar XI, which will include players of the likes of Giovani dos Santos, Hector Herrera and Hector Moreno.

The link between the midfield and the defense will be essential to keep Guillermo Ochoa's goal unbeaten. 

Let's take a look at these five footballers.

Antonio Valencia continues to play consistently with Manchester United. This season he has appeared in 24 Premier League matches and has created 17 goal opportunities.

Valencia's speed through the sidelines will give depth to Ecuador. But moreover, he will push El Tri's full-backs to keep a lot more focus on their defensive responsibilities.

This could push Miguel Herrera to tweak his 3-5-2 formation, leaving Miguel Layun and Paul Aguilar with less opportunities to join the attack.

Jefferson Montero arrived in Swansea City for this season, and he has already appeared 24 times in the local league.

Montero is no stranger to Mexico's style of play. He spent two years with Liga MX club Morelia, with which he scored 10 goals.

He is an elusive footballer who knows how to keep the ball until one of his team-mates has a clear goal opportunity.

Montero could start the game or come in for Antonio Valencia—either way he will help Ecuador when they need depth and speed.

Currently playing for Mexican club Cruz Azul, Rojas is lethal when he attacks through the flanks. He can play from both sides, but with Ecuador he usually appears in the right sideline.

Rojas has had a good season with La Maquina so far. He has scored once in eight starts.

The winger is a fantastic playmaker. He can run all the way through the goal line, from where he can send a cross or keep the ball until one of his team-mates steps into the box.

Last May, just weeks before the World Cup kick-off, Enner Valencia put the ball away once in the warm-up vs. Mexico.

In his first season with West Ham he has already put the ball away four times in 25 appearances. Valencia has created 11 goal opportunities too.

Perhaps one of his most valuable assets is his ability to leave the defenders behind at ease. He showed his true potential in Brazil 2014 by scoring all of Ecuador's goals of the competition (three).

Hector Moreno needs to play at his best level to stop Valencia's attack.

Felipe Caicedo returned to Spain after a three-year absence to join Espanyol, where he plays with Mexican centre-back Hector Moreno.

This season the Ecuadorian has put the ball away six times in 25 La Liga matches. He also has two assists on his record.

Caicedo is a powerful striker who has a superb left-foot shot. He can surprise the goalkeeper from outside the box as well as at close range.

If Mexico's central midfielder (most likely Jose Juan Vazquez) can't stop Ecuador's through passes, Caicedo will have a field day.

All stats appear courtesy of Squawka and MedioTiempo.com (Spanish) unless otherwise stated.

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