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Monterrey-Mexico City clashes top Matchday 7 slate

By Thomas Buckley

Monterrey sharpshooter Rogelio Funes Mori has found it tough to find space in the early going of the Clausura 2020 season. The striker needs to find the net to help the Rayados escape the cellar. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Monterrey sharpshooter Rogelio Funes Mori has found it tough to find space in the early going of the Clausura 2020 season. The striker needs to find the net to help the Rayados escape the cellar. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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Monterrey-America rematch
Monterrey players react after beating América in a shoot-out in the Apertura 2019 Finals in December. The Rayados have had little to celebrate since. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

América has chance to avenge Finals setback as champs Monterrey try to escape cellar.

One wouldn’t normally think that a Liga MX Finals rematch would feature a last-place team. But reigning champion Monterrey is winless through 6 games and the Rayados find themselves at the bottom of the table just 7 weeks after parading around Estadio Azteca with the league trophy.

Monterrey settled for a 1-1 home draw against newcomer FC Juárez last Saturday but might have gained some momentum with a 1-0 midweek win over Santos Laguna that catapulted the Rayados into the Copa MX semifinals where they will meet FC Juárez.

If Antonio Mohamed is unable to get his team to play up to their ability this Saturday, their title defense might be dead in the water before the season even reaches the halfway point.

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The Rayados are 0-3-3 this season and have scored just 7 goals in 6 matches. In the latest episode of “The Gang that Couldn’t Shoot Straight,” Monterrey was on target with only 8 of its 25 shots – a 32% accuracy rate.

The champs experienced some early season turmoil as star midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro forced his way off the team, finally accepting a deal with David Beckham’s Inter Miami team in the MLS.

The usually dangerous attack squad of Dorlan Pabón, Rogelio Funes Mori and Jesús Gallardo has been largely ineffective for Monterrey and Dutch super-sub Vincent Janssen has yet to produce punch up front.

Midfielder Carlos Rodríguez has not been in top form after closing out 2019 in sparkling fashion. “Charlie” won a permanent spot in Gerardo Martino’s rotation last year and is being groomed to be the top playmaker for El Tri. His performances in the Liga MX playoffs and at the FIFA Club World Cup in December drew rave reviews as well. But in the Clausura, C-Rod has underperformed.

Monterrey knows it won’t get many more chances to turn the season around, but doing so this weekend against América is no easy task. Even though Rayados fans will pack the Estadio BBVA Bancomer to cheer on their heroes.

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