Liga MX Notebook: América poised to name new manager

The new Liga MX season opens on June 30 at Estadio Azteca where América aims to begin its march toward a 14th league championship.

Rookie coach Diego Mejía will guide a hopeful FC Juárez side against the bruised egos of the Aguilas – still nursing wounds from the shock elimination at the hands of the Chivas and the even more stunning resignation of Fernando Ortiz.

América is still without a manager, getting turned down by former Uruguay coach Diego Alonso and missing out on Javier Aguirre who re-upped with Mallorca.

Then came whispers about former Peru coach Ricardo Gareca and Atlético de San Luis boss Andre Jardine, but these rumors didn’t pan out.

From Sam’s Army to Liga MX?

On Monday night, the Liga MX family was sent into a tizzy as word leaked that América was in talks with Gregg Berhalter, unemployed since December when his contract with Team USA expired.

Although Berhalter remains “officially under consideration” for the U.S. job, it has begun to appear that he is not first choice.

So the tweets and headlines about a Berhalter move to the Liga MX giants were not hard to believe. It certainly makes for a fascinating story.

At the same time, alerts about a Jardine visit to Mexico City also incited a mini-uproar in the soccer media. The Brazilian insisted he was only in town to renew his work visa, that he was not going to visit Coapa for a chat. Jardine was reported to have signed an extension with the Tuneros anyway, but who knows?

The latest reports suggest the contract is in front of the former Team USA coach and an announcement could be made as soon as Thursday.

As for the players, the team is currently in Salt Lake City preparing for its so-called Tour Aguila during which “Los Azulcremas” will play Toluca and Monterrey.

So if Berhalter signs on, he’ll join the club in Utah with roughly 14 days before Opening Night at “El Coloso de Santa Ursula” with a fan base that will demand hardware … immediately. Welcome to Liga MX, Gregg!