LA Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos earned the callup to Mexico recently after a run of strong form and a high-profile regrouping by national team coach Juan Carlos Osorio following their ignominious 7-0 exit from this summer's Copa America Centenario.
The decision to not only tab dos Santos for a start, but also name him captain, quickly paid dividends in Tuesday's international friendly against New Zealand in Nashville, Tennessee. Dos Santos converted a 29th-minute penalty kick to score El Tri the opener.
Mexico went on to take the 2-1 victory, and play Panama on Tuesday at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. In his first full season with LA, dos Santos (14 goals, 12 assists) ranks among both MLS's top 10 goal-scorers and assist leaders, one of only two players to reach double-digits in each category this year. He has previously played for Villarreal, Mallorca, Tottenham and Barcelona.
