Early offseason moves continue apace in Liga MX

Liga MX Necaxa Atlas — Veteran striker Julio Furch of Atlas (right) expects to be fully fit for the Zorros next season. (Photo by Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images)

In Aguascalientes, Necaxa finished at the very bottom of the Liga MX table last season with just two wins, but the arrival of new investors gives Rayos fans hope heading into the Apertura 2021.

In Guadalajara, Atlas just managed to escape the basement of the “Relegation Standings,” an outcome that allowed the Zorros to take part in the Liga MX playoffs before coming up short in the quarterfinals.

Both teams are determined to qualify for the Liguilla in the upcoming season, but they are going about it in different ways.

While Necaxa has been furiously overhauling its roster (who can blame them?), Atlas has been carefully analyzing its options.

Rayos determined to escape Liga MX cellar

We’re not even four weeks into the offseason and the Necaxa faithful would be hard-pressed to recognize their team. Nine members of the squad that finished 2-5-10 are gone and seven new faces have been given spots in the locker room.

Granted, after such a disastrous season, it would have been virtually impossible to identify any Necaxa player as untouchable, although the loss of defender Unai Bilbao hurts somewhat. But that can’t be blamed on the front office since the native of Basque Country was on loan and reclaimed by Atlético de San Luis (probably to be sold on).

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In addition to Bilbao, only David Cabrera and Ian González can be considered regulars who might be missed by coach Guillermo Vázquez.

Cabrera, 31, is a solid midfielder who kept order in the middle of the pitch as his 2 goals and 5 assists attest. The Pumas product – now with Querétaro – was also the Rayos’ designated free-kick taker. González, a 28-year-old striker, scored only 3 goals in 16 games for Necaxa, but was a reliable workhorse. The Spaniard will remain in Liga MX, with Toluca next season.

Beyond these three, the other six departures are of little consequence. Veteran defenders Jair Pereira and Mario de Luna saw some playing time but did not establish themselves as starters. Goalie Sebastián Fassi was third on the depth chart, while the other three ex-Rayos – midfielder Francisco Acuña (1 game), plus forwards Oscar Millán (2 games) and Diego Abella (6 games, 168 total minutes) – were surplus to the team’s needs.

The “newcomers” include two former Rayos – striker Mauro Quiroga and midfielder Rubén González – plus three midfielders and the defenders. That will make for a crowded midfield – with holdovers Alex Zendejas and Fernando Arce – which might suggest coach Vázquez is leaning toward a 4-5-1 formation.

Midfielders Jonathan González (on loan from Monterrey) and Alan Medina (on loan from América) will be hoping to revive their once-sparkling Liga MX careers after hitting road bumps. González, 22, and Medina, 23, are each just a year removed from appearances with El Tri. The former fell down the pecking order at the Rayados after suffering a few injury issues in 2020, while Medina found himself on a deep bench with the Aguilas after starring at Toluca for two seasons.

Vicente Poggi is the other new midfielder and at 18 the Uruguayan seems more like a project than a plug-and-play guy.

The new defenders will likely be asked to step right in as the Necaxa defense was among the worst in Liga MX last season (29 goals allowed in 17 games). Luis Fernando Quintana made 127 appearances with UNAM over the past eight years. Agustín Oliveros is a highly regarded Uruguayan youngster coming out of the Club Nacional system.

Even with all these changes, Necaxa is not likely done since they still need to find firepower up front. Perhaps the enigmatic Maxi Salas will be revived by the chance to team up again with Quiroga, but coach Vázquez might desire another target man.

It will be up to “Memo” to make sure the dramatic overhaul reaps benefits.