Eight Liga MX teams ready to brave pandemic
Liga MX fans eagerly await Copa kickoff to end soccer drought
When the calendar page was turned to July, Liga MX soccer fans had been without “futból” for 102 days since the Clausura 2020 was suspended, and later cancelled. So the Mexican aficionado is eager to tune into Televisa’s manufactured preseason Copa GNP that kicks off in Guadalajara and Mexico City on July 3.
Eight teams will take part in a round-robin mini-tournament that concludes on July 19, five days before the Apertura 2020. The teams are divided into two groups, each will play three games and the top two from each group advance to the semifinals (July 15 and July 16).
Playing at Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron in Group B are Mazatlán FC, the Tigres, the Chivas and Atlas. In Group A being hosted at UNAM’s Estadio Olímpico Universitario are América, Cruz Azul, the Pumas and Toluca.
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Coronavirus worries will play a big part as two teams in the Mexico City group – Cruz Azul and Toluca – each reported big outbreaks over the weekend. Toluca is scheduled to open against América on Friday while Cruz Azul faces UNAM on Saturday.
Neither Toluca nor Cruz Azul has given any indication that they will pull out of the Cup though a couple unnamed teams expressed concern about having to play against teams that have registered positive for the virus.
Putting health concerns aside (that’s what Liga MX appears to be doing, so why shouldn’t we?), the tournament will give us a first look at new club Mazatlán FC, formerly Monarcas Morelia. Former Pumas and Lobos BUAP coach Francisco “Paco” Palencia is in charge of the newcomers which features many of the Morelia players that led the Monarcas to a surprising semifinal appearance in the Apertura 2019.
The Tigres boosted their offensive firepower by recalling 21-year-old playmaker Leo Fernández who spent the Clausura 2020 on loan to Toluca. The elusive Uruguayan scored 8 goals in 9 games for the Diablos Rojos and coach “Tuca” Ferretti hopes he’ll forma dynamic duo with star striker André-Pierre Gignac.
There are several other intriguing storylines to follow. Among them, the return of Nicolás Benedetti. América’s young Argentine midfielder suffered a knee injury during South America’s Olympic qualifying tournament.
The July 12 Pumas-Toluca match offers former UNAM goalie Alfredo Saldívar a chance for revenge. “El Pollo” was traded to Toluca for veteran Alfredo Talavera last week after the former’s series of gaffes in the past two seasons.
We could also see a mid-tournament trade as América contemplates dealing controversial winger Renato Ibarra to Atlas. The speedy Ecuadorian was kicked off the team last season after his arrest on domestic abuse charges that were later withdrawn when his wife declined to press charges.
The timing of the tournament – coming after a forced suspension of activities – suggests we won’t witness refined play. Reports from training camps reveal that fitness will be a question for players (some clubs were getting players in shape with isolated spinning classes).
Next. Apertura 2020 to relaunch soccer in Mexico. dark
Also, Cup rules allow for unlimited substitutions so coaches will surely not overtax their players in hopes of reaching Opening Day (July 24) with a healthy roster.