Jaime A Cardenas

The Tennessean

For the first time ever El Tri, as Mexico's national soccer team affectionately is known, is coming to Nashville. It's a testament to the area's swelling interest in the most popular sport in the world and the city's rapidly growing Latino population, which has increased by by 858% from 34,309 in 1980 to 328,979 in 2014 statewide.

Mexico, ranked No. 15 by FIFA in their latest world rankings, will use Saturday's game against No. 88-ranked New Zealand at Nissan Stadium, as preparation for next month's World Cup qualifier against rival USA. The U.S. and Mexico square off on Nov. 11 in Columbus, Ohio, where the U.S. has beaten the Mexicans in four consecutive World Cup qualifiers by identical scores of dos a cero.

Coming off a humiliating 7-0 loss to Chile in this summer's Copa America, and a so-so performance against Honduras at home last month, Mexico is hoping to get back on track against New Zealand before Panama in Chicago next week and the U.S. after that.

Reinvigorated Mexico soccer coach Juan Carlos Osorio leads national team to Nashville

The game will feature some of Mexico's best players. Though two of their most recognizable players, Javier "Chicharito" Hernadez and Guillermo Ochoa, will be absent from this game other stars like Giovani dos Santos, his younger brother Jonathan dos Santos, Marco Fabian, Oribe Peralta and Alan Pulido were named to the roster scheduled to play here in the Music City this weekend.

New Zealand, which has only qualified for the World Cup twice since they began participating in 1970, features players who play professionally in England, Germany and three players who play in the U.S., including defender Sam Brotherton, a freshman on the Wisconsin Badger's soccer team.

Below is more info about the game.

MEXICO VS. NEW ZEALAND

International Soccer Friendly

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 at 5 p.m.

WHERE: Nissan Stadium.

HOW TO WATCH: You can purchase a ticket and watch in person-- tickets start at $20-- or catch the game on TV.

TV: Univision (Ch. 42 in Nashville) or Univision Deportes (DirecTV 464; Dish Network 869; Verizon FiOS 1539; Sling TV).

RADIO: In Nashville: 880 AM, 1240 AM, 1300 AM; in Memphis: 1030 AM; in Knoxville 93.5 FM. Click here to check local listings.

STREAMING: Univision.com and Sling TV.

FAN FESTIVAL: Prior to the game, event organizers are hosting a free interactive"Fútbol Fiesta" in Lot R of Nissan Stadium from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Along with activities for all ages, there will be appearances and autograph sessions from past World Cup players, including Jorge Campos, Jared Borgetti, Pavel Pardo and more.

Here are the rosters for the game.

MEXICAN NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER:

Goalkeepers: Moisés Muñoz (América), José de Jesús Corona (Cruz Azul), Rodolfo Cota (Guadalajara).

Defenders: Hugo Ayala (Tigres), Hedgardo Marín (Guadalajara), Oswaldo Alanís (Guadalajara), Jordan Silva (Toluca), Jesús Dueñas (Tigres), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres), Adrián Aldrete (Cruz Azul), Luis Enrique Robles (Atlas), Jesús Molina (Santos).

Midfielders: Jonathan dos Santos (Villarreal, ESP), Orbelin Pineda (Guadalajara), Erick Gutiérrez (Pachuca), Elías Hernández (León).



Forwards: Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy/USA), Marco Fabián (Eintracht Frankfurt, GER), Ángel Sepúlveda (Querétaro), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), Isaac Brizuela (Guadalajara), Oribe Peralta (América), Alan Pulido (Guadalajara).

Head Coach: Juan Carlos Osorio.

Chicharito, no. Giovani dos Santos, sí.

NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER:



Goalkeepers: Stefan Marinovic (SpVgg Unterhaching, GER), Tamati Williams (RKC Waalwijk, NED), Jake Gleeson (Portland Timbers FC, USA).

Defenders: Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix), Sam Brotherton (Wisconsin University, USA), Michael Boxall (SuperSport Utd, RSA), Kip Colvey (San Jose Earthquakes, USA), Themi Tzimopoulos (PAS Giannina FC, GRE), Winston Reid (West Ham Utd FC, ENG), Deklan Wynne (Whitecaps FC 2, CAN), Liam Graham (Chesterfield FC, ENG).

Midfielders: Clayton Lewis (Auckland City FC), Michael McGlinchey (Wellington Phoenix), Matt Ridenton (Wellington Phoenix), Te Atawhai Wihongi (Auckland City FC), Henry Cameron (Blackpool FC, ENG), Moses Dyer (Eastern Suburbs AFC), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle, NED).

Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix), Chris Wood (Leeds Utd, ENG), Monty Patterson (Ipswich Town FC, ENG), Marco Rojas (Melbourne Victory FC, AUS), Rory Fallon (Truro City FC, ENG).

Head Coach: Anthony Hudson.