Odds and Ends from Liga MX quarterfinals

Tuzos lose, but win

Pachuca saw its five-game win streak snapped at Estadio Azteca, but América’s 4-2 home win was not enough to prevent the eighth-seeded Tuzos advancing (on the away-goals rule).

Paulo Pezzolano’s side seemed nervous and hesitant much of the match after an early Romario Ibarra goal (minute 5) put the Tuzos up 4-1 on aggregate. Roger Martínez took advantage of the timidity to put on a show.

The Colombian forward had two goals and an assist by minute 53 and Martínez completed his brace with a golazo, cutting across the top of the box from left to right and blasting a shot over Oscar Ustari that clanked off the inside of the far post before nestling in the netting.

The resulting 3-1 Aguilas advantage would have taken the No. 2 seeded team into the semifinals.

Then Bruno Valdez inexplicably stuck out his arm while trying to block Felipe Pardo’s back-side shot and ref Fernando Guerrero didn’t hesitate to point to the spot. Gustavo Cabral’s penalty kick meant América had to score twice more to overcome the Tuzos’ second away goal.

Leo Suárez got one back in minute 73 with a spectacular sharply angled free kick that slammed into the side netting just inside the far post – upper 90! Ustari made a nice diving save off a Martínez header in minute 86, denying what turned out to be the Aguilas last gasp.

Solari’s Liga MX debut season one for the books

Rookie coach Santiago Solari saw his first season in charge at La Coapa end prematurely, tarnishing a strong regular season. With the No. 2 seed in hand, fans and front office expected nothing more than a Finals appearance.

After taking the reins about a week before the season-opener, the former Real Madrid star was always going to be compared to his predecessor, Miguel Herrera, who was unceremoniously fired after getting into a scrap during halftime of the club’s Concacaf Champions League game against LAFC. The Aguilas were winning 1-0 at the break and had a man advantage, but conceded three times in the second half to lose in shocking fashion.

With Solari in charge, the club’s 38 points in the Guardianes 2021 placed América second in the Liga MX table. That total topped Miguel Herrera’s high mark for points (37), and “El Indiecito” also matched a franchise mark for consecutive home wins by guiding the Aguilas to victories in his first seven games at Estadio Azteca.

Solari also won plaudits for the way he handled the roster (comprised of the second-highest payroll in Liga MX), especially his cautious management of injuries. The club had no long-term injury setbacks as was all too common under the previous regime and players were not rushed back from the infirmary into game action.

The coach also enhanced team solidarity by requiring players to have breakfast and lunch at the club’s training ground. Though this is a “sacrifice” for those who prefer spending time with their family, it is a common practice at clubs in Europe.

Best of all, several players responded well to Solari’s approach – Roger Martínez, especially, and Leo Suárez – while 20-year-old rookie Santiago Naveda emerged as a top-flight midfielder, setting a club record for most consecutive appearances starting with a debut (17). In fact, Eintracht Frankfurt has been tracking Naveda’s development since mid-season.