Six European-based stars will make their way to Mexico this week to lead El Tri into its pair of qualifiers against Honduras and the United States. Five of the six included players – all except backup goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa – will likely start in San Pedro Sula on Friday. Mexico boss José Manuel de la Torre will hope his foreign contingent can provide the extra bit of quality required to collect six points over the next week.

The recent form of those six players provides plenty of encouragement ahead of the upcoming affairs. Read on to learn how those key cogs prepared for the travails ahead in the latest edition of Mexicans Abroad.

The Mexico number two pitched another shutout in a 0-0 draw at Marseille on Friday. Ochoa made three saves in this dull stalemate to ensure the relegation-threatened side emerged with a critical point from its trip to Stade Velodrome. Yet another solid display, however, isn't likely to persuade de la Torre to dump Jesús Corona for the in-form goalkeeper.
 

Chicharito watched from the bench as United slogged through a 1-0 home victory over Reading on Saturday. Wayne Rooney proved the difference between the clubs with his deflected effort after 21 minutes. The stroke of fortune proved more than enough for United on the day and rendered Hernández surplus to requirements for the remainder of the affair.

Although Hernández has found it difficult to procure regular match action at United, he remains perhaps the most important player in de la Torre's outfit. He will lead the line for the matches against Honduras and the United States barring injury or suspension.

Villarreal picked up its third win on the trot with a 1-0 triumph at Huesca on Saturday. Aquino played the whole match in midfield as the promotion chasers secured the points through Jonathan Pereira's winner 10 minutes from time. The former Cruz Azul winger will place his La Liga aspirations on hold for the next week to patrol the right flank for El Tri.
 

Guardado resumed his usual duties at left back in Valencia's 3-0 home victory over Real Betis on Saturday. Two late goals guaranteed the points for Los Che and maintained their push for a Champions League place next season. The influential winger will cast aside his defensive duties on his way to San Pedro Sula and spend his next two matches playing in his natural position.
 

The defensive stalwart contributed to another fine rearguard effort in Espanyol's 2-0 victory at Champions League quarterfinalists Malaga on Saturday. Diego Colotto and Sergio García scored after the interval to hand Moreno's side a first win in four matches. Moreno will strive to replicate that defiance with his country over the next week.
 

Real Madrid ruined another productive afternoon for Dos Santos with a ruthless second-half performance at the Bernebeu. The in-form schemer prompted first-half strikes by Emilio Nsue and Alfaro to stake his side to a 2-1 halftime lead. Madrid responded after the break with three goals in 12 minutes to quell Mallorca's uprising and secure the result.

Dos Santos' recent displays provide ample encouragement for de la Torre ahead of this crunch pair of fixtures. His creative influence could offer the difference as Mexico attempts to transfer its possession into goals in the final third.