Ever so unpredictable, Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio played to type in Wednesday's friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina. Carlos Vela and Elias Hernandez in midfield? Orbelin Pineda and Giovani dos Santos flanking the front line? It was an unconventional spin on El Tri's conventional 4-3-3 formation.
Of that out-of-position quartet, only one player managed to roll with the punches and exert his influence all the same. Whether he's being asked to create from a central midfield role or run at fullbacks on the flank, Vela showed he's an attacking presence to be reckoned with as Mexico opened 2018 with a 1-0 victory in San Antonio.