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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
Sebastián Córdova, 22, (left) and Federico Viñas, 21, lead the América Kiddie Corps. The Aguilas have reloaded since reaching the Finals last season and their roster boasts an average age of just 23.9 years. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images) /

Aguilas in second place despite being beset by injuries

América travels to Monterrey with a chance to earn a measure of revenge against the Rayados who pipped them to the Liga MX trophy in December. Miguel Herrera knows a win will not take the sting out of the Finals loss, but he’ll have his Aguilas ready to swoop in on the wounded Rayados.

The Azulcremas forged a 4-1-1 record even though four key players were on national team duty. Uruguayan striker Federico Viñas returned from the South American Olympics qualifiers with style, scoring twice against Atlas in the club’s 2-0 win.

However, one of those four players – Argentine midfielder Nicolás Benedetti – won’t be coming back at all after tearing knee ligaments in the semifinals. He is now the third offensive player out for the season and coach Herrera will rely heavily on the 21-year-old Viñas to pick up the load.

The game against Atlas was the first time this season that Herrera started more foreigners than Mexicans, a trend that could continue if Henry Martín and Gio dos Santos fail to produce offense when called upon.

Midfielder Sebastián Córdova, 22, should be a key player against Monterrey as the Aguilas’ search for a spark. Newcomer Leo Suárez is likely to get another opportunity to contribute on offense, but Herrera knows goals are needed even if he boasts the best defense in the league.

Goalie Memo Ochoa knows he’ll face a desperate Rayados team, but he has been up to the task this season, allowing a league-low 4 goals. Defenders Bruno Valdez and Emanuel Aguilera will fight to keep Monterrey’s shooters from getting good looks at goal.

It will be interesting to see if Herrera uses fullback Jorge Sánchez, the goat of the Finals (his whiff on a clearance attempt led to the game-tying Monterrey goal). He might opt for veterans Luis Fuentes and Paul Aguilar instead.

The Aguilas are coming off a stale performance in Guatemala, managing a late draw against Comunicaciones in a Concacaf Champions League match on Wednesday.

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