Mexico vs. Honduras: Key Issues That Will Shape International Friendly

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The last time Mexico faced Honduras, El Tri lost at the Estadio Azteca. But this is a new era, with a different coach and a promising generation of footballers.

Miguel Herrera saved the national team from missing the 2014 World Cup. His squad managed to qualify to the round of 16, after defeating Cameroon, surprising Brazil with a scoreless draw—due to Guillermo Ochoa's saves—and a convincing victory over Croatia.

But it's all in the past now. Herrera has to address several issues before dreaming of another stellar performance in the upcoming World Cup.

He needs to shape a new defensive line. Rafael Marquez will probably miss Russia 2018—he will be 39 years old—same thing goes for Francisco Rodriguez, who will be a 36-year-old veteran, and Carlos Salcido.

Moreover, "El Piojo" needs to put together two teams for 2015.

The first one for the Copa America, which will probably be full of youngsters, which Mexico have produced in large quantities—just take a look at the 2011 and 2013 U-17 FIFA World Cups, as well as the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The second is for the 2015 Gold Cup, which will feature the A-team, and since El Tri is a CONCACAF side, they must give priority to this tournament.

The new chapter in Mexico's history continues this week (October 9), when they face Honduras at the Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna in Chiapas.

Let's take a look at the key issues that will shape the match.

Miguel Herrera capped five forwards for the upcoming friendlies: Javier Hernandez, Oribe Peralta, Javier Orozco, Erick Torres and Alfonso Gonzalez.

Mexico coach has always used a 5-3-2 formation, the question is: Who should start?

Hernandez and Peralta have played several times together, and although they have had good results, it seems like there's not enough spark between these two.

Torres missed several opportunities against Bolivia, but he has proven to be a game changer for Chivas USA.

Meanwhile, Javier Orozco has performed well in the 2014 Apertura, and is Santos Laguna's top scorer, with five goals to his name in 12 appearances.

Alfonso Gonzalez is the youngest of the pack (20 years old) and this is his first cap for the senior team. He is an undisputed starter with Atlas, where he has put the ball away four times, more than any other of his teammates, however he is used to playing from the left.

Herrera should go with Peralta and Orozco, or Hernandez and Torres. Both pairs have played together before. The first with Santos Laguna, the second with Guadalajara.

El Tri have struggled with the final touch, and Herrera hasn't tried those combinations.

Rafael Marquez and Francisco Rodriguez weren't capped for this game, while Carlos Salcido has already announced his retirement from El Tri and Hector Moreno is still recovering from a fracture.

The center of the box is a major concern for Mexico. The verticality of the team allows the left-back and the right-back to join the attack on a regular basis, putting a lot of pressure and responsibility on the centre-backs.

In the previous friendlies (Chile and Bolivia) the coach decided to try Rodriguez, Hiram Mier, Miguel Angel Herrera (not related), Hugo Ayala, Oswaldo Alanis and Luis Venegas.

However, the back line was shaky. The lack of experience with El Tri, as well as the pressure, left much to be desired.

Mier, Herrera and Ayala were consistent, but Rodriguez, Alanis and Venegas faltered constantly.

Chile shot five times from inside the box, while Bolivia completed one, as per Mi Seleccion Gamecast (Spanish).

For the upcoming games, Miguel Herrera capped several centre-backs: Julio Dominguez, Enrique Perez, Ayala, Alanis, Venegas and Herrera.

All together, they have been capped 25 times. Ayala, the most experienced with El Tri, has been on the team 13 times, Herrera and Venegas, once.

The coach needs to find the perfect balance soon, or else the team will have to slow down the attack through the flanks to compensate the lack of experience from those covering the box.

Miguel Layun has been the undisputed starter in the left flank. He is going through a fantastic moment with America.

The defender has scored six times during the 2014 Apertura, proving that his flexibility is perhaps his most valuable asset.

However, Miguel Herrera relies a lot on Layun and a little competition won't hurt.

Jorge Torres Nilo is a veteran player. He has appeared 37 times with El Tri, 24 of them in the starting position.

It is important for Herrera to find a suitable sub for Layun.

Miguel Angel Ponce was sharp against Chile, and has improved his performance ever since he joined Toluca in the 2014 Clausura, but other than him, the coach hadn't tried any other player.

Torres Nilo is slowly getting back to his old self, he just needs confidence, which is something Herrera provides easily.

Marco Fabian keeps getting chances to play for Mexico, but he is yet to make a real impact with El Tri.

The left midfielder hasn't performed at his best while wearing "La Verde," at least not since he played in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Fabian has speed and accuracy. According to Squawka, after 11 appearances in the 2014 Apertura, he averages 84 percent of pass accuracy, and he has created six goal opportunities, through key passes.

However, he hasn't been sharp when shooting. He has 33 tries, but has only 11 shots on target; the other 22 have been far from surprising the goalkeeper.

Miguel Herrera didn't call Andres Guardado, which means Fabian has a good chance to start against Honduras and Panama.

It's now or never for the Cruz Azul midfielder. He has to prove he has what it takes, if he wants to continue with the team.

ose Juan Vazquez is not on the list, and Miguel Herrera has other three options: Antonio Rios, Javier Guemez and Hector Herrera (not related).

It seems tough that the Porto midfielder takes over the center of the pitch, because he has been a fantastic addition in the right flank.

So everything will fall on Rios and Guemez.

The first is an undisputed starter with Toluca. In 12 appearances in the 2014 Apertura he records 89 percent of pass accuracy, plus 16 chances created, as per Squawka.

He had a good performance against Chile, which secured him a spot in the starting XI vs. Bolivia. He played 87 minutes in front of Mauricio Soria's boys.

On the other hand, this is Guemez's first cap. The Tijuana midfielder can provide support to the back line, as his defensive skills are superb.

After 12 matchdays in the Liga MX, he has 25 clearances, four blocks and 17 interceptions, according to Squawka. He has completed 84 percent of his passes, 74 percent to the last third of the pitch.

Since Rios has already worn "La Verde" twice, he should take over the starting spot, and Guemez should debut in the second half.