Matchday 6 to conclude hectic week in Mexico
For the second game in a row, Toluca scored late to snatch points on the road in the Matchday 6 opener as Liga MX reaches the one-third mark of the Apertura 2022 calendar.
Diablos coach Ignacio Ambriz rested five regulars at the back end of the league’s 26-games-in-12-days marathon and FC Juárez nearly took advantage, stealing into the lead in minute 88. “Los Choriceros” wasted little time in responding as Jean Meneses headed home the equalizer in minute 90+2, extending the Bravos home winless streak to 11 (0-3-8).
The draw momentarily lifts Toluca into first place in the Liga MX table with 13 points. Monterrey (12 points) and Tigres (12 points) can leapfrog the Diablos depending on their results against UNAM and Querétaro, respectively.
Matchday 6 – coming on the heels of a Midweek Matchday – features five games on Saturday and three more on Sunday. The finale features two Liga MX title contenders battling to climb back into contention as América visits León.
Liga MX transfer action
Fifth-place Puebla made a move to replace injured striker Fernando Aristeguieta, acquiring Jozy Altidore on loan from MLS side New England. Altidore is hoping that success in Liga MX will result in a roster spot on Team USA’s World Cup squad.
Altidore becomes the fourth U.S. international to play for “La Franja,” following in the footsteps of Herculez Gómez, Damarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco.
Cruz Azul, meanwhile, continues to swing and miss at its transfer targets, further frustrating coach Diego Aguirre and tarnishing the reputation of GM Jaime Ordiales who leaves Monday to take the top executive position with El Tri.
Last week, Ordiales announced the signing of Argentine defender Ramiro Funes Mori but as of Friday the twin brother of Monterrey and El Tri striker Rogelio Funes Mori was still training with Al-Nassr, his club in Saudi Arabia.
There are also growing rumors that the Cementeros are wooing former Spain striker Diego Costa, but after all the unfulfilled promises this summer, few believe Ordiales will close the deal.
Costa would fill the spot vacated by Santiago Giménez who this week joined Feyenoord on a four-year deal. “El Chaquito” is top scorer in Liga MX with 5 goals and coach Aguirre does not have an adequate replacement on the current roster.
Other moves in Liga MX and abroad
Santos Laguna has sent 20-year-old Jordan Carrillo on loan to Sporting Gijón in Spain’s second division. Carrillo, an attacking midfielder, made his Liga MX debut on Jan. 22, 2020, and has scored twice in 35 appearances for the Guerreros.
Grupo Orlegi, the ownership group that controls Santos Laguna, acquired majority interest in Sporting Gijón last month.
Also this week, El Tri winger Diego Lainez may have improved his chances of being included on the World Cup roster by accepting a loan deal to move from Spain’s Real Betis to Portugal’s Sporting Braga.
The little playmaker had been told by Mexico coach Gerardo Martino that he would not be considered for Qatar if he did not get playing time and Lainez had been told he was not in the running for a starting spot at Betis.
Next. Kounde explains why he chose Barça over Chelsea. dark
A late-blooming rumor has América fullback Jorge Sánchez in talks with Ajax Amsterdam where he would join forces with El Tri teammate Edson Álvarez. Sánchez is in the running for the right back spot with Mexico and one wonders if leaving Liga MX for a European adventure at this time would help or hurt his chances of securing the starting job in Qatar.