Liga MX quarterfinals: Dubious calls mar openers
Healthy Aguilas returning to nest just in time
América struggled a bit down the home stretch as coach Santiago Solari was forced to juggle his line-up as players faced fitness issues. Defender Emanuel Aguilera, midfielder Sebastián Córdova and striker Henry Martín all missed time as “Los Azulcremas” finished the season 1-1-1.
With a red-hot Pachuca team awaiting them in the Liguilla, Solari can be grateful that the walking wounded should all be available. And the missing time gave back-ups the opportunity to demonstrate their value.
Aguilera’s absence in the back line was covered by Bruno Valdez’s return from knee surgery allowing the rugged Paraguayan defender to get some valuable playing time. Now Solari has a reliable threesome – Aguilera, Valdez and Sebastián Cáceres – to cover the two center back spots.
Córdova – out nearly a month since getting knocked around during the club’s April 14 Concacaf Champions League match – was back in full training on Tuesday. The shifty midfielder suffered a hip injury during that ill-fated Olimpia (Honduras) match and survived a stomp to the back of the neck, a foul ignored by game officials (including VAR!).
Martín – América’s leading scorer despite missing four games – was back in action in the season finale for the first time since departing the club’s Matchday 12 game against Mazatlán FC with a leg ailment.
Roger Martínez filled in adequately for Martín – scoring a brace to lead the Aguilas to a 3-1 rout of the Tigres – while Leo Suárez gradually settled into Córdova’s spot, breaking out with a masterful performance in leading América to a 3-1 second-leg win over Portland Timbers last week.
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Taking on the No. 2 seeded Aguilas is a Pachuca team gaining in confidence. After finishing the Liga MX season on a 6-1-1 run, the Tuzos dispatched Guadalajara 4-2 in the wildcard match and will not be intimidated by the favored Mexico City club.
Pachuca holds a 3-1 advantage over América in all-time playoff meetings. In fact, the Tuzos have never lost a playoff game to the Aguilas in Estadio Azteca, the site of Sunday’s second leg match.
But the past does not define the future (and you have to go back six years to the last playoff meeting between these two teams, a 7-5 aggregate victory for the Tuzos) and coach Paulo Pezzolano knows his team faces a tough test.
The Tuzos hopes rest on the continuing production of young striker Roberto de la Rosa, the discipline of the midfield tandem of Erick Sánchez and Luis Chávez, the sturdy defense led by Oscar Murillo and Gustavo Cabral, and the impeccable skills of goalie Oscar Ustari.