Liga MX transfer deadline fast approaching
The winter transfer window slams shut on Sunday afternoon, which is also the last day to register new players and finalize rosters. There is unlikely to be a flurry of activity, but there remains uncertainty for some players.
The Chivas have two players under contract who they have yet to register – midfielder Michael Pérez and defender Alexis Peña. As they have found no Liga MX clubs interested in taking them on, the duo will be forced to sit out the season if the club does not register them. Pachuca forward Leo Ramos is in the same boat.
Toluca acquired winger Paolo Yrizar from the Xolos this week. Yrizar, 23, played with Team Mexico at the Toulon Tournament in 2019, winning a bronze medal. His goal against China in the group stage helped El Tri advance to the semifinals. The Querétaro native has played 43 Liga MX matches, 40 with the Gallos Blancos, and has scored once.
Ending a long scoring drought
Necaxa forward Martín Barragán had not scored in Liga MX since Jan. 20, 2019. The 29-year-old striker might reacquainted himself with the opponent’s net on Thursday night when he scored in the first half against the Tigres.
The goal might not keep in the rotation, however, as the Rayos brought in two new faces for their stagnant offense (3 goals in their first three games).
Joining Necaxa are Uruguayan Rodrigo Aguirre (he has experience in Serie A with Udinese and Perugia) and young Paraguayan scorer Sergio Bareiro (a member of Paraguay’s U-23 Olympic team). Aguirre, 26, comes from LDU Quito while Bareiro was starring at from Cerro Porteño in his home country.
Aguilas line-up shuffle works
América was forced to deal with some roster issues ahead of the team’s game against FC Juárez on Tuesday night, a 2-0 win.
Goalie Memo Ochoa and midfielder Richard Sánchez and Nicolás Benedetti are on the Covid reserve list, while midfielder Pedro Aquino and defender Bruno Valdez missed the match with injuries. On top of that, playmaker Sebastián Córdova was unavailable after being shown a red card in the Aguilas’ Matchday 2 contest against Monterrey.
Youngster Santiago Naveda got his first Liga MX starting assignment and continues to impress. Though far from a perfect night (he had a few errant passes), his pressing defense forced a turnover that led to the club’s first goal and he earned an assist on the clincher. The 19-year-old midfielder has demonstrated a high soccer IQ and has great presence on the pitch. He could challenge Sánchez for the starting spot before the end of the season
Newcomer to Watch
Damián Batallini – speed, skills and hustle. His teammates will have to learn to keep up with the frisky 24-year-old Argentine … a few times against Chivas he produced solo breakouts, beating multiple defenders only to find himself alone, with no help to get past a third or fourth Chivas defender. He will add considerable flair to the staid Tuneros attack.
Layún headed north?
MLS club San Jose Earthquakes is reportedly looking to add veteran defender Miguel Layún to their roster. Layún, now with Monterrey, has played in two World Cups for El Tri and spent four years in Europe (Watford, Porto, Sevilla and Villarreal) before returning to Liga MX in the summer of 2019. His first season with the Rayados – Apertura 2019 – saw the club win the Liga MX championship.