The pair made their debuts from the bench against China in March and now get their first run-on appearances on the flanks of a four-man midfield at Denver’s Invesco Field.
Fitzgerald will play on the left-hand side after performing a similar role on the right as a second-half substitute against China, while Boxall lines up on the opposite flank.
Normally a right-sided central defender but capable of playing full back as he did occasionally for the 2008 Olympic team, Boxall isn’t fazed about adapting to the wing-back role.
“It’s always a big honour to get your first start for your national team and to be honest I don’t really care what position it is,” Boxall says.
“I’m just going to go out there and do the best I can. I’m sure good things will come from it. I have faith in my team mates and they have faith in me and we’ll just go out there and do a job.”
Kosta Barbarouses wins his third cap in a front three combination featuring Shane Smeltz and Barbarouses’ former New Zealand U-17 team mate Chris Wood.
Tim Brown is expected to captain the side from central midfield, where he will partner Simon Elliott, while New Zealand’s most capped player Ivan Vicelich anchors a defensive three with Winston Reid and Andrew Boyens outside him. Goalkeeper Glen Moss wins his 18th cap.
Despite a long list of injuries, the All Whites have the luxury of firepower on the bench with Chris Killen, Michael McGlinchey and Jeremy Brockie among the substitutes as New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert keeps some powder dry to balance the demands of two internationals in three days on different sides of the world.
“The group is quite depleted. It’s probably the most difficult position we’ve been in in terms of players missing. As we said before we left New Zealand, the priority is to give these players exposure at this level, and they are going to get it.
“We know a lot about Chris [Killen] and Jeremy [Brockie] and we’re starting to know a little bit more about Michael [McGlinchey]. Those three will probably play a more major role in the Australia game on Sunday.
“Somewhere along the line, Michael Boxall needs exposure at this level and Michael Fitzgerald the same, while Kosta adds an exciting element.”
Midfielder Craig Henderson is struggling with a hamstring strain and is not available for selection.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1 at 2pm, Thursday (NZT).
Mexico v New Zealand
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Denver, USA
8pm, June 1, 2011 (2pm, June 2 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 1
New Zealand: 1-Glen MOSS (GK), 2-Winston REID, 6-Ivan VICELICH, 7-Simon ELLIOTT, 8-Tim BROWN, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 11-Kosta BARBAROUSES, 13-Michael FITZGERALD, 15-Andrew BOYENS, 16-Michael BOXALL, 20-Chris WOOD.
Substitutes: 4-Ben SIGMUND, 10-Chris KILLEN, 12-Mark PASTON (RGK), 14-Michael McGLINCHEY, 17-Aaron CLAPHAM, 18-Jake GLEESON (RGK), 22-Jeremy BROCKIE, 23-David MULLIGAN.
Injured: 21-Craig HENDERSON.
Coach: Ricki HERBERT
Mexico (from): Alfredo TALAVERA (GK), Guillermo OCHOA (GK), Jonathan Orozco (GK), Edgar DUENAS, Ricardo OSORIO, Jorge TORRES NILO, Efrain JUAREZ, Rafael MARQUEZ (c), Francisco Javier RODRIGUEZ, Hector MORENO, Carlos SALCIDO, Gerardo TORRADO, Antonio NAELSON, Christian BERMUDEZ, Jesus Zavala, Israel CASTRO, Andres GUARDADO, Angel REYNA, Aldo de NIGRIS, Elias HERNANDEZ, Giovanni DOS SANTOS, Pablo BARRERA.
Coach: José Manuel de la TORRE
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz