Marcelo Gallardo has announced his first squad as Ecuador head coach, calling up 26 players for the upcoming extended international break. For his first matches, Gallardo will be without veteran leaders Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie, who are both currently unfit.
Returning players and new faces
Hernan Galindez returns to the national team despite announcing his retirement following Ecuador’s Round of 32 exit in the World Cup. Wingers Jeremy Sarmiento and Keny Arroyo also return after falling out of the pecking order under Sebastián Beccacece. In terms of youth debuts, the biggest inclusions are Fricio Caicedo of Inter Miami and Juan Riquelme Angulo of Sunderland.
Notable absences
Moises Caicedo, Joel Ordonez, and Piero Hincapie will all miss this upcoming international break due to injury. The only notable non-injury-related exclusion is Kendry Paez, who is playing with Chelsea’s youth squad after failing to find a new club in the transfer window.
Who are Ecuador playing in the upcoming international break?
Players reported today to Seoul ahead of Gallardo’s debut against South Korea in Suwon on Thursday, September 24 as part of the Kirin Cup. Ecuador will then face Japan in Yokohama on October 4th. The final match of the international break will be on October 5 in Tokyo, against either Panama or New Zealand in the final of the Kirin Cup.
The full 26-man Ecuador squad
Goalkeepers: Gonzalo Valle (LDU Quito), Hernán Galíndez (Huracán), Moisés Ramírez (Kifisia)
Defenders: Ángelo Preciado (Atlético Mineiro), Félix Torres (Internacional), Fricio Caicedo (Inter Miami), Jackson Porozo (Tijuana), José Hurtado (Bragantino), Leonardo Realpe (Famalicão), Pervis Estupiñán (AC Milan), Willian Pacho (PSG)
Midfielders: Alan Franco (Atlético Mineiro), Alan Minda (Atlético Mineiro), Anthony Valencia (Flamengo), Denil Castillo (Midtjylland), Gonzalo Plata (Flamengo), Jeremy Sarmiento (Middlesbrough), John Mercado (Sparta Prague), John Yeboah (Venezia), Jordy Alcívar (Independiente del Valle), Keny Arroyo (Cruzeiro), Nilson Angulo (Sunderland), Pedro Vite (Pumas)
Forwards: Jordy Caicedo (Huracán), Juan Riquelme Angulo (Sunderland), Kevin Rodríguez (Union Saint-Gilloise)
