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Will El Tri duo play for Toluca vs. LAFC in Concacaf Champions Cup semi?
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- Will El Tri duo play for Toluca vs. LAFC in Concacaf Champions Cup semi?
Mexico duo Alexis Vega and Jesus Gallardo trained with Toluca on May 5, the day prior to the second leg of the club's Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal series against LAFC . But their status is in doubt for the match itself.
Liga MX club owners made an agreement with the Mexican federation and national team manager Javier Aguirre that players would be released before the Liguilla - Liga MX's playoffs - and take several days off before reporting to camp on May 6.
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While the veteran pair was absent from Toluca's 1-0 loss to Pachuca in the first leg of a Liguilla quarterfinal series with Pachuca, they were back on the training ground as the team prepares for a crucial contest.
Toluca manager Antonio Mohamed and other club officials have said all year that, after winning back-to-back Liga MX trophies, the international competition would take priority for the club. And with the second leg falling the same day that camp opens, media reports in Mexico indicated shifty attacker Vega and aggressive left back Gallardo would be allowed to play in a game their team must win to go to the final after a 2-1 first-leg loss in Los Angeles .
However, the scenario shifted as other club owners lodged protests, and Mexico manager Javier Aguirre spoke to reporters at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento, saying anyone who misses the opening day of camp will also miss the World Cup.
"All of the selected players are scheduled to be eating all together at 8 at night," Aguirre said. "As you'll know, the release is very clear. Whoever doesn't come will be out of the World Cup. It's something that we can't be flexible on."
Toluca was expected to be more affected by Aguirre's domestic call-ups. Vega and Gallardo were near locks on the team after making the previous roster and only growing in importance, but midfielder Marcel Ruiz also was competing for a place. He partially tore his ACL in a previous round of the CCC but opted to delay surgery in an attempt to push for a World Cup place.
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"I'd like to thank all the clubs, and especially want to say that to Chivas and Toluca … Toluca because it's competing in a continental tournament and is supporting and helping the national team in every way," Aguirre said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Alexis Vega, Jesus Gallardo play for Toluca vs LAFC in CCC semis?
