Dos Santos focused on Galaxy, San Jose after Mexican national team drama

Giovani dos Santos reportedly declined a call-up to the Mexican national team for next month's Copa America Centenario

Giovani dos Santos reportedly declined a call-up to the Mexican national team for next month’s Copa America Centenario

Giovani dos Santos stirred up controversy this week when Mexican national team manager Juan Carlos Osorio left the 27-year-old Galaxy forward off the federation’s roster for next month’s Copa American Centenario. According to Osorio, dos Santos declined the invitation, choosing club over country.

After Osorio released the roster Tuesday, dos Santos declined to speak about the situation this week, saying his main focus will be on the Galaxy leading up to a Cali Clasico match with San Jose at home at 4 p.m.

PREVIEW: Sebastian Lletget does ‘dirty work’ for Galaxy

“The only thing that I can say is that I’m very concentrated on my team,” he said. “I’m working really hard, and I’m looking forward to the game on Sunday. I feel great right now.

The midfielder has been in impressive form recently with five goals and five assists in the past five games.

He has not played for Mexico since the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer when he missed the final three rounds due to injury and Mexico won the title.

To have dos Santos with the Galaxy next month bodes well for the team as forwards Gyasi Zardes and Robbie Keane are expected to leave for international duty.

“We’re obviously pleased to have him here,” head coach Bruce Arena said. “We’d be pleased to have him with Mexico as well.”

Mexico is one of six teams that will play a group game at the Rose Bowl during the tournament. El Tri faces Jamaica on June 9 in Pasadena with Brazil and Ecuador playing on June 4 and Colombia and Paraguay scheduled for June 7.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email