El Tri World Cup 2014 Lineup: Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa To Be Starting Goal Keeper For Mexico Vs Cameroon

After wearing the colors of 'La Selección Mexicana' for 9 years (he debuted in 2005), Guillermo Ochoa Magaña will play his first minutes on Friday as starting goalkeeper for Mexico on the world's greatest soccer stage: the World Cup. On the eve of his 29th year, and with all the experience he has gained after three campaigns in Europe, in France, 'Memo' Ochoa has been chosen by Miguel Herrera to serve as keeper for El Tri in Brazil 2014.

Guillermo Ochoa was first called up following Oswaldo Sánchez' injury: with 20 years on his gloves, Ochoa debuted with the senior team in December 14, 2005, against Hungary. Since then the road has been a constant for Memo with El Tri. Ricardo La Volpe took him to the 2006 World Cup as third goalkeeper; Hugo Oswaldo Sánchez alternated him in the Copa America a year later, and although under Javier Aguirre he watched South Africa 2010 from the reserve bench, after losing the starting job to Oscar Perez, he is now primed for keeping.

Ochoa Magaña has been a part of a number of different national tournaments besides just the World Cups. Memo went to the Athens Olympics in 2004, the Gold Cup in 2007 and 2009, plus the 2013 Confederations Cup, and, although he played the last match of the group stage against Japan, Guillermo was the second keeper behind Jesus Corona, who has maintained a constant parallel path with Ochoa. Miguel Herrera emphasized that it was Ochoa's shot stopping ability that got him over the line.