Mexico's Jose Juan Vazquez out for CONCACAF Cup with injury

Jose Juan Vazquez will not be in the Mexico team for Saturday's CONCACAF Cup against the United States. The midfielder has been removed from the roster with thigh and calf issues, replaced by Elias Hernandez.

It's not entirely surprising that Vazquez won't be able to play. He was dealing with the injuries when he was named to the El Tri roster with the hope that treatment would get him healthy enough to participate. That hasn't happened.

Mexico will take a hit with Vazquez out. He is the team's best deep-lying midfielder, a tough tackler and good distributor. El Tri were hoping to lean on Vazquez as a shield for their back line and the key man in stopping the U.S. counterattack. Now they will likely turn to Jonathan dos Santos, who isn't nearly the defensive player Vazquez is. That could open up the U.S. attack, but dos Santos is a better passer who will be able to spring the Mexico counter or dictate possession from the center of the park.

Vazquez is the second Mexico player to be removed from the roster due to injury, joining Giovani dos Santos.