3 Things from Liga MX Week 2, and more
Surprise co-leader, emerging goalie and youthful Aguilas
1. Pumas Kiddie Corps ignores the pundits
Two Mexico City teams sit atop the Liga MX standings after Matchday 2, but it’s not the two you might think. The rebuilding UNAM Pumas share the top of the table with América as the only two “perfect” teams – 6 points from 2 matches.
The Pumas were left orphaned just before Opening Day when coach Miguel González quit for “personal reasons.” And even before “Michel” bailed on the cash-strapped team, it was regarded as no better than a lower-rung playoff team.
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Interim coach Andrés Lillini – previously the academy coach – has the Pumas playing hard and his knowledge of the club’s youngsters could have long-term benefits.
In the starting line-up for the season opening 3-2 win vs. Querétaro, Lillini opted for two kids – Jerónimo Rodríguez and Carlos Gutiérrez – who had a combined 6 first-division appearances between them. Against Atlas, Lillini handed out two debuts – 20-year-old Erik Lira started while Amaury García, 18, came on as a late sub.
If Juan Ignacio Dinenno continues to find the net – he has 4 goals in two games – the Pumas could be the surprise team of the Guardianes 2020.
2. Future El Tri netminder?
In early July, Santos swapped veteran national team goalie Jonathan Orozco for Gibrán Lajud, a keeper with dreams of wearing the Team Mexico sweater. But local boy Carlos Acevedo had other ideas.
Acevedo, 24, has been between the pipes for both Liga MX games thus far and stopped a penalty kick in each match. His lunging parry of J.J. Macías’s spot kick in added time on Sunday preserved a clean sheet as the Guerreros earned their first points of the season.
The Torreón native has earned rave reviews for his play. His positioning has been impeccable and he has demonstrated great instincts. Pundits, though impressed, insist Acevedo must show consistency and resilience, but if he continues to develop, there certainly could be a spot on the national team in his future.
Acevedo has already shown resilience in his young career as he did not have a smooth path to the senior team. He joined the Santos academy at 10, but left at 15 due to lack of playing time, returned nearly two years later but walked away again shortly thereafter.
The teenager only rejoined the U-17 program after a tragic bus crash in which two of the team’s “arqueros” were injured (an accident in which a club official was killed).
Acevedo went on to star for Santos’ U-20 team that won the 2015 Liga MX title in that category on a penalty kick shoot-out. He made his senior debut in 2016 but the durable Orozco joined the club in December of that year, forcing Acevedo to watch and learn for three years. He apparently learned well.