Once again, América lays plans for 14th Liga MX title

Federico Viñas and América couldn’t believe the team’s season ended before the Liga MX Finals. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

As submitted here earlier this week, the two most popular teams in Liga MX expect a busy summer, but while América is retooling, the Chivas are looking at a mini-rebuild.

To quote: “Both Mexican giants fell short of expectations this past season and then headed into vacation having to deal with self-inflicted turmoil.”

While Guadalajara spent most of the Guardianes 2021 looking up at the playoff spots, earning the nickname “The UnderaChivas,” the Aguilas resided in second place the final eight weeks of the season. Santiago Solari’s squad appeared destined for a Liga MX Finals showdown against Mexico City rival Cruz Azul.

But América’s march to its 14th Liga MX title ended before it began as its defense was sliced open by eighth-seeded Pachuca and the Tuzos knocked out the No. 2 seed in the quarterfinals. Before it had time to digest the stunning turn of events, the Aguilas front office was forced to deal with a different headache – disciplinary issues.

Liga MX brings down the hammer

Video published on social media revealed that Roger Martínez, Leo Suárez, Nico Benedetti and Richard Sánchez attended a party in violation of league Covid protocols.

The Liga MX Disciplinary Office fined each of the scofflaws 100,000 pesos and exasperated team officials were forced to reconsider the fate of the malefactors.

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Forwards Martínez and Suárez were key contributors down the stretch but had fallen short of expectations more often than not. Midfielder Benedetti has struggled with injuries since joining from Colombia’s Deportivo Cali in January 2019.

América reportedly offered Martínez and Benedetti to Argentina’s Boca Juniors (it’s the third transfer window running that the Aguilas have tried to offload Martínez), and recruiting efforts in Paraguay suddenly had deeper significance for the fate of Suárez.

The América brain trust was scouting two young Paraguayan wingers identified by Solari. The Argentine coach thinks Iván Franco (Club Libertad) and Diego Torres (Olimpia) would fit nicely in his system and the front office sees them as cheaper options with growth potential.

Both would bring energy and explosiveness on the flanks where the Aguilas already created space by ridding themselves of the aging Gio dos Santos. In addition, Franco, 21, and Torres, 18, could provide cover for a Suárez departure.

Sánchez’s job status, however, appears to be secure. A starter in midfield alongside Pedro Aquino, the Uruguayan was also América’s free kick specialist. Although the Aguilas’ first three offseason acquisitions were midfielders, club officials announced this week that Sánchez would only be leaving the team if a club from Europe came calling.

The comment regarding Sánchez was issued more in response to the rumors that former América coach Miguel Herrera was trying to swing a deal to bring the defensive mid to the Tigres rather than a response to the disciplinary concerns. The Aguilas front office made it clear that Sánchez would not be dealt to another Liga MX team.

Roster shuffle already under way

As mentioned above, América has already made three moves although none address the team’s scoring concerns (even though the Aguilas tied for the Liga MX lead in goals scored, Solari wants more production from his forwards).

Joining “Los Azulcremas” for the Apertura 2021 are Salvador Reyes (from Puebla), Fernando Madrigal (from Querétaro) and Miguel Layún (from Monterrey).

The versatile Layún, 32, helped the Aguilas win the Clausura 2013 championship before departing for Europe where he played for four years. Layún returned to Liga MX with Monterrey, helping the Rayados defeat América in the Apertura 2019 Final in his first year back.

Reyes, 23, has developed into a strong two-way player at left fullback after starting his career as a midfielder, while Madrigal, 29, a late-bloomer, is a gritty midfielder who finally established himself in Liga MX in 2019 after spending most of his career in second division.

Although the Aguilas are not expected to be big spenders his summer (despite rumors that Chile international Arturo Vidal was in talks with the club), they are not done tweaking the roster.

Additional moves will depend on departures. In addition to the potential subtraction of Martínez, Suárez and Benedetti, the club could decide to finance new acquisitions by selling a player or two.

Next. Cruz Azul curse put to bed. dark

With Herrera newly entrenched at Tigres, the former Aguilas head honcho might want to add familiar faces to his new team’s locker room. Fullback Jorge Sánchez has been mentioned as a potential target for “El Piojo” as has striker Federico Viñas.

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