Roster shuffling continues as Clausura 2022 approaches

The Clausura 2022 season is just days away and Liga MX rosters are in a state of flux. And many will remain so for another month until the transfer window slams shut on Feb. 5.

Atlético de San Luis and Pachuca kick off the new season on Jan. 6 with a Friday night doubleheader (Necaxa at FC Juárez followed by América at Puebla) leading into a full weekend. Well … almost a full weekend.

As fate would have it, Atlas was due to visit León on Matchday 1 but the Finals rematch was pushed back two weeks. It is a Liga MX policy to give the Apertura finalists an extra week off during the short year-end holiday break.

Be that as it may, Liga MX fans will have to get used to seeing familiar faces wearing the “wrong” jerseys. We’ve mentioned a few transactions over the past few weeks here and here, but Liga MX front offices worked through the end of the year.

Lira moves from Pumas to Cruz Azul

“La Máquina Azul” appears to have stopped the bleeding after watching six key members of its Guardianes 2021 championship roster walk out the door. With holes to fill in midfield, the Cementeros found a new playmate for recent acquisition Charlie Rodríguez, plucking promising Pumas academy product Erik Lira from their crosstown rivals. Charlie came over from Monterrey in a swap for his Tokyo teammate Luis Romo, both playing key roles in El Tri Olímpico’s bronze medal-winning performance.

Before accepting the trade, Charlie insisted a “Europe escape clause” was written into his contract. GM Alvaro Dávila consented so the Cementeros might have to deal with European clubs in the summer.

Both Charlie, 25 on Jan. 3, and Lira, 21, played for “Tata” Martino’s El Tri side in 2021 and this dynamic duo should revitalize the Cruz Azul midfield.

Dávila is now snooping out a striker as the team prepares to trade away Jonathan “Cabecita” Rodríguez. Argentine sniper Lucian Vietto is the current target. The 28-year-old Argentine has been toiling for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Boca Juniors right winger Christian Pavón had been the top target but talks went nowhere.

If “Cabecita” does leave, coach Juan Reynoso is going to want more than just Santiago Giménez in the point of attack.

Welcome back to Liga MX, ‘Killer’!

Nico Castillo is making a Mexican comeback after his medical scare (thrombosis in his leg) nearly two years ago while with América. The Chilean scoring machine played on loan to Brazil’s Juventude last season, but will suit up for Necaxa during the Clausura 2022.

“Nick Killer” will be expected to lead the Rayos attack as forwards Mauro Quiroga, Sergio Barreiro and Angel Sepúlveda were all sent packing this winter. Castillo starred with the Pumas in 2017-2018 (26 goals in 39 games) then enjoyed a couple decent seasons with América in 2019-2020 (9 goals, 24 games) before his run of bad luck.

Historic trade

The first-ever Liga MX trade involving a female player took place last month, and it involved América and the Tigres. Tokyo bronze medalist Sebastián Córdova was sent to the Tigres for cash and Katty Martínez, the star scorer for the perennial Liga MX Femenil title contenders.

Córdova, a product of the Aguilas academy system, was supposed to be the next legend but he has fallen out of favor with coach Santi Solari (injuries were a factor). Former América coach Miguel Herrera convinced the Tigres front office to inquire as to availability, and the historic deal was brokered.

“Katty Killer” (a common and often overused nickname for strikers, but not in this case) has helped the Tigres Femenil reach seven consecutive finals, winning four titles. Martínez scored 80 goals in 91 games for the Tigres.

Córdova claimed a bronze medal in Tokyo, leading El Tri Olímpico with 4 goals and a tournament-high 3 assists in six games. The 24-year-old playmaker has 9 assists and 18 goals in his Liga MX career.