Ecuador arrive in US for Mexico friendly

Quito (Ecuador), May 29 (IANS) The Ecuadorian football team, under Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda, arrived in Dallas to play a friendly match against Mexico Saturday before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Rueda shortlisted 24 players from the 30-member provisional for the Mexico clash at the AT&T Arena stadium in Arlington, Dallas, reports Xinhua.

"It's an important game for selection, and we will try to make things right," said Ecuador captain Antonio Valencia, who plays Manchester United, Wednesday on arrival in Dallas. 

The right winger stressed the unity of the country to support the team and hoped that they will have a good result.

Coach Rueda said the list will be pruned to 23 after the Mexico match.

"The ultimate test of our evaluation is against Mexico and I have seven more days to make a decision. Why I make haste?" Rueda said.

The team will have its first training session at the AT&T Stadium Friday. The match against Mexico is the third international for Ecuador this year as a part of its preparation for World Cup. Their last friendly will be against England June 4 in Miami.

Valencia said "both Mexico and England are very important choices and we are going to see at what level we are to participate in the World Cup."

The team will leave for Brazil, June 9, and face Switzerland in their first match June 15. The other teams in Group E are Honduras and France.