A reliable defender who is making his debut in the World Cup finals. Mendez earned his first cap in 2000 but was overlooked for the 2002 World Cup in Japan & South Korea. He began his career with Atlas before moving on to the more high-profile Toluca and Monterrey, where he has gained a reputation for being a solid central defender and tight man-marker who rarely ventures forward. Skilful with the ball at his feet, Mendez rarely loses concentration and thus is a key member of the Mexico backline under coach Ricardo La Volpe.