Early offseason moves continue apace in Liga MX

Pablo Aguilar re-ups with Cementeros; Gorriarán on way out?

Two players who squared off in the Liga MX Final last season are apparently on different paths than was thought likely a month or two ago.

At 34 and coming off a knee injury, the odds were that veteran defender Pablo Aguilar would be allowed to walk by Cruz Azul when his contract expired this month. Instead, the Paraguayan hard-man demonstrated that he is an integral part of the stout Cementeros defense that was instrumental in ending the club’s 23-year Liga MX title drought.

Aguilar declared his interest in remaining with Cruz Azul and the front office eventually buckled, figuring that his presence on the back line and in the locker room could contribute to the team’s upcoming title defense. The former América and Xolos defender signed a 1-year deal after which he intends to retire.

Up in La Laguna, Gorriarán epitomized the 90-minutes-of-hell pressing and attacking style favored by coach Guillermo Almada. Gorriarán’s versatility allowed Almada to plug him in at a variety of positions in midfield and out wide. The 26-year-old’s energy and aggressiveness was infectious, helping make Santos one of the toughest teams for any club to face.

The non-stop pressure and game-long hustle was a key factor in carrying the Guerreros to the Liga MX Final, but down the stretch Gorriarán dropped hints that he’d like a chance to return to Europe (he played for Hungary’s Ferencvaros from 2017-2019). However, just before the Final against Cruz Azul, the Montevideo native told reporters he’d be willing to accept a move to América (not a pleasant bit of news to Santos fans).

Then on June 12, while in Uruguay preparing for the Copa América, Gorriarán exclaimed that he thought it unlikely that he would return to Santos next season, citing undisclosed “issues” with the club. That was a bit of a bombshell and the feisty midfielder did not elaborate, nor did he speculate where he might go.

If Santos were to lose their midfield dynamo, coach Almada will be hard-pressed to plug the hole that would create. Perhaps Santos fans can take solace in the fact that Gorriarán has only seen 6 minutes of action for Uruguay in two matches, a body of work that will not attract new interest from European clubs.