Topics: Honduras, Mexico, Gold Cup, Hecto Moreno, El Tri, Houston
Exactly one year ago, Moreno also had to undergo surgery after Mexico was knocked out of the World Cup. Oswaldo Alanis will take his place in the Gold Cup.

Hector Moreno will have to undergo surgery once again at a crucial time for his career and the future of El Tri. The 27-year-old defender had to leave the game between Mexico and Costa Rica at halftime after feeling some pain in his foot. This Monday it was confirmed that he would miss the game against Honduras and the Gold Cup.

Moreno has been dealing with the same type of problem for over six years. It is originated in his fifth metatarsal. The doctor of the national team, Gerardo Aguilar, said that the material implanted would have to be removed to reduce the pain. Surgery is the way to go in this case.

"Due to injury, Hector Moreno is out of our roster for the Gold Cup"

Espanyol´s defender had an average performance in the game against Los Ticos in Orlando, Florida. At the same time, he is considered to be one of the safest players for Miguel Herrera's team on defense. Without him, Mexico really suffered in the final minutes against Netherlands during the 2014 World Cup. A game which he had to leave due to a similar injury on June 29, 2014. 

His fracture in the game versus the Dutch left him out for six months

When the team arrived to Houston for their last friendly game before the Gold Cup, Hector Gonzalez Iñarritu, Mexico´s national team director, announced that Moreno would no longer play with the team. After analyzing his problem, he had been ruled out of action but will stay with the team. 

"We're not going to risk him straining it too much and getting injured again," Iñarritu said.

Moreno's replacement is Oswaldo Alanis from Chivas. The team from Guadalajara announced the decision made by Miguel Herrera and his assistants hours before their game against Honduras in Houston this Wednesday.  

Our player Oswaldo Alanis will join Mexico for the Gold Cup. Good luck Oswaldo! 

Moreno had just returned to action at the beginning of the year with his club. There was a lot of talk about him tranfering out of Espanyol this summer to a bigger club. This new injury could really affect his chances of going elsewhere and maybe of continuing to play in Europe.

Moreno sent a message to his fans "Thank you everyone for your words and encouragement. I'll be back soon and even better!"