Ismael de Jesús Rodríguez Vega (born January 10, 1981) in Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas is a Mexican football player who currently plays for Club América in the Mexican First Division.

[edit] Career

A product of the CF Monterrey youth system, Ismael debuted in the Mexican First Division on July 21, 2001 in a game against UNAM Pumas. He quickly won a starting job and became a fixture in Monterrey's backline. During the Rayados title run in the Clausura 2003 tournament, Rodríguez played in 18 games and scored two goals, including a crucial score against F.C. Atlas A.C. in the playoff quarterfinals. His continued success at the club level brought him to the attention of Mexican national team coaches and personnel. In 2004, Rodríguez played for Mexico at the Olympic Games that year.

Prior to the Apertura 2005 tournament, Ismael was transferred to Club América, who were at the time reigning champions of the Mexican league. An established starter at his previous club, Rodríguez was mostly relegated to the bench at the beginning of the season, although he did see significantly more action towards the end of the tournament.

[edit] International career

It was not until Javier Aguirre came to coach the Mexico squad the Ismael Rodriguez finally got a chance to play with the Mexico Squad. He has become one of Aguirre's main men because he has started in every Gold Cup game.

[edit] External links

• Ismael de Jesús Rodríguez stats at MedioTiempo.com (Spanish)

v • d • e Mexico squad – 2004 Summer Olympics 1 Corona • 2 F. Rodríguez • 3 M. Pérez • 4 I. Rodríguez • 5 López • 6 Galindo • 7 Sinha • 8 Martínez • 9 Bravo • 10 L. Pérez • 11 Márquez Lugo • 12 Pineda • 13 Ponce • 14 García • 15 Sánchez • 16 Íñiguez • 17 Espinoza • 18 Ochoa • Coach: Lavolpe

v • d • e Mexico squad – 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Winners (5th title) 1 Ochoa • 2 Magallón • 3 Rodríguez • 4 Dueñas • 5 Pinto • 6 Torrado • 7 Medina • 8 I. Castro • 9 Bravo • 10 Franco • 11 Vela • 12 Corona • 13 Barrera • 14 Sabah • 15 J. Castro • 16 Esquivel • 17 Giovani • 18 Cárdenas • 19 Noriega • 20 Martínez • 21 Valenzuela • 22 Juárez • Coach: Aguirre