Liga MX midweek musings: ‘Pocho’ and ‘Cata’ return

Guzmán’s fate in hands of WADA after doping case

Víctor Guzmán could finally find his way back onto the playing field for Pachuca after being sidelined nearly a year due to a drugs violation.

“El Pocho” failed a post-game drug test on Aug. 10, 2019, but continued to play several more games for the Tuzos while another sample was tested. By the time the “positive” result was confirmed in January, Guzmán had been acquired by the Chivas. The outcome of the test resulted in the nullification of the transfer.

The reason for the delay and the confusion is that Mexico had closed down its drug-testing center so the procedures were being handled by a lab in Havana which was backlogged with other cases.

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This past week, Mexico’s National Anti-Doping Committee ruled that Guzmán had served his 1-year penalty, rationalizing that his appearances for the Tuzos after the initial test should not count against him since it “was not his fault that the test results took four months.” In other words, the local committee has decided he served his sentence.

This decision alone won’t get “El Pocho” back on the pitch. The World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA, must still render a decision and they are not as inclined to forgive drug offenders. Some reports indicate the drug identified was not a performance-enhancing drug, but was rather alkaloid based (in other words, a recreational drug). This could have some bearing on the eventual ruling by WADA.

No doubt, it will take some time for Guzmán to repair his reputation, especially as he seemed like a like for El Tri heading toward the 2022 World Cup.

Cruz Azul gets key defender back

Julio César Domínguez is back in training for Cruz Azul after a Covid-19 scare. The long-time Cementero defender was hospitalized on Aug. 5 with a pulmonary infection linked to the coronavirus, this coming a little over a month after he had tested positive during the preseason (on July 1).

The apparent “re-infection” caused a bit of a stir among Liga MX players who have been demanding that league officials be more transparent about test results, false positives, asymptomatic cases and other virus-related issues.

“Cata” spent three nights in the hospital although team doctors assured reporters that the 32-year-old was never in serious danger. He is not expected to see action in Cruz Azul’s Saturday evening match against FC Juárez and his presence was sorely missed in the team’s 1-0 loss at Querétaro on Wednesday.

Youngster Josue Reyes started in place of Domínguez the past two games but he was exposed on the lone goal scored by the Gallos Blancos. This is not to pin the loss on the 22-year-old as the Cementeros played arguably their worst game of the calendar year.

Liga MX refs still coming up short

I hate to beat a dead horse, but Liga MX officiating continues to serve as a big black eye on Mexican soccer.

FC Juárez continues to get the short end of the stick. A game after getting cut down to 9 men and seeing a dubious penalty called against them in a 1-1 draw vs UNAM, the Bravos were short-shrifted again. In minute 10 on Wednesday, Guadalajara was gifted a penalty which was even somehow confirmed by VAR and the Chivas were able to make the early lead stand up.

Ref Diego Montaño was the culprit in Pumas-Bravos fiasco and he was not given an assignment in Matchday 4. The villain against the Chivas was ref Adonaí Escobedo.

In the América-Santos match, Fernando Hernández was accused of mocking Aguilas players after calling a penalty against the league leaders. Later he forgave Santos defender Mateus Doria a clear red card.

In the Atlas-Toluca match, ref Luis Enrique Santander called three penalties, one of which came down from VAR. However, there were two other incidents that deserved penalty calls, but Santander – who labored to keep up with play throughout the match – failed to blow his whistle.

Win some, lose some

The two interim coaches on Liga MX sidelines during Matchday 4 went 1-0-1 as Rubén Duarte saw his Zorros fall to Toluca 2-1. New coach Diego Cocca is expected to be in charge for Atlas’ next match, on Sunday against Santos.

Marcelo Michel Leaño guided the Chivas to a 2-0 win over FC Juárez, but the Boy Wonder will return to the front office now that Víctor Manuel Vucetich has taken the reins at Guadalajara.