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Mexican Apertura Preview
Posted 31 Jul 2009 at 06:17 PM by John Jagou
With all that went on with the Gold Cup over the past week, I almost forgot that the Mexican 2009 Apertura kicked off last week. As usual, there were plenty of surprises: Jaguares winning at Cruz Azul, San Luis’ last second spot kick equalizer vs. Big Brother, and the Chivas Toluca goalfest to name a few. Again, with player movements, coaching changes, and other agents of unpredictability at play, it is really impossible to make any kind of sound judgements for the season. But for the betonsports addicts out there who need that extra edge (and can I tell you that I am right 53% of the time), let’s break down who might challenge for the trophy.
THE BIG FOUR
Let’s start with the defending champs, my Pumas. For the second tournament in a row, they did not make any additions to the squad. They chose to rely on their youth system instead. One of those graduates to keep on eye on is midfielder, David Cabrera. Pumas were the last team to win back to back titles back in 2004. Tuca Ferretti at 7 tournaments is now the manager emeritus of Mexican coaches. They did lose their opening match to Atlas, but since they always seem to have a hard time at the Jalisco, no real surprise. Pumas has a hard time scoring goals, so it’s a good thing that the defense is solid. Veron and pikolín Placios are back, as is goalkeeper Sergio Bernal, who is entering his 21st season in the league.
Club America is in unfamiliar territory: the relegation zone. The post-Temo era has not been kind to the Aguilas. They have gone 4 tournaments without seeing the Liguilla. This season, though, they did not have a complete roster meltdown, though, only a partial one. America had a decent pre-season, so hopes again are high. Hopes are always high in the land of Americanismo, where liguilla tickets are seen as birthrights. But if that string of bad results starts to coagulate, former youth Tri coach Jesus Ramirez might have to hire a taster.
Guadalajara’s owner, Jorge Vergara, has already proclaimed the inevitability of his Chivas hoisting the trophy for the 12th time. But he said that before Chivas gave up 4 goals at Toluca last week. Like America, Chivas fans expect nothing less than a birth in the post season at a minimum. They missed both liguillas last year. The Chivas’ drought is only in severe stage (not exceptional, like Club America). Because of Guadalajara’s hiring philosophy, the Chivas (like the national team) has had a real problem finding goal scorers. But the rebaño is convinced they have found their man in Javier (el chicharito) Hernandez.
Cruz Azul had one of their worst tournaments ever last time out. They have hired the venerable Enrique Meza to right the ship. The players responded immediately by laying Cincinnati Steamer in their home opener vs. Chiapas. Meza is good coach and Cruz Azul has a talent laden squad. They should be right there at the end. Maybe.
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Pachuca and Toluca have been the two most successful teams of the decade, and there is no reason to think that they won’t be strong contenders this time around. The diablos have a talented young duo in the attack: Nestor Calderon and Raul Nava. They also can count on the leading goal scorer, Hector Mancilla. The tuzos, on the other hand, seem to just chug along. And as long as Damian Alvarez and Chaco Gimenez continue scoring goals for them, nothing will slow them down.
DARK HORSES
Chiapas played a great game at Cruz Azul last week, and look poised to make a big move this year. They solidified their goalkeeping with Conejo Perez, have a solid defense, and at times a potent attack. Unfortunately, they always seem to fall victim to their climate and fade in the tourney’s throes. The Chiapan jungle’s humidity makes Houston feel like Sedona. They really should petition to get a more accommodating gametime than their 5PM Saturday slot.
Puebla has a golden chance to show that last year was no fluke. They added everyone’s favorite filthy flopper, Carlos Ruiz. Jose Luis Sanchez Sola (chelís) has proven he can get the most out of a limited squad. The test now will be how he handles himself and the squad with raised expectations.
Tigres have always been the most coddled team in the Mexican Primera. Their roster is dripping with stardust, yet they never seem to get it together. Coach after coach is brought in, but the results are the same. To make matters worse, their stadium always sells out, so the fans accept their petulance and indifference with equal aplomb. While these indiscretions have dropped Tigres into the relegation fight, Daniel Guzmán is ready to pull another team out of the fire. He not only saved Santos from relegation a few years ago, he made them champions (and then was fired for his efforts).
COACHES ON THE HOTSEAT
In Mexico, they are all on the hotseat. A two game losing streak, and you might as well download Chopin’s funeral march on your iPod. It could be anyone, and it could happen as soon as this Monday. But two have their necks out the furthest if the wins don’t come.
Paco Ramirez. I’m not even sure why he’s the Chivas coach in the first place, but any kind of downturn, and it’ll be curtains.
Jesus Ramirez. America is a mess, but methinks it has more to do with their inept front office than anything the coach does.
So there it is. A little primer for the upcoming season. Who’s gonna win it? The smart money (if there is such a thing in the Mexican Primera) says it’ll be either Pachuca or Toluca. But usually a team comes out of nowhere to make a deep run. What the hell – Morelia.
THE BIG FOUR
Let’s start with the defending champs, my Pumas. For the second tournament in a row, they did not make any additions to the squad. They chose to rely on their youth system instead. One of those graduates to keep on eye on is midfielder, David Cabrera. Pumas were the last team to win back to back titles back in 2004. Tuca Ferretti at 7 tournaments is now the manager emeritus of Mexican coaches. They did lose their opening match to Atlas, but since they always seem to have a hard time at the Jalisco, no real surprise. Pumas has a hard time scoring goals, so it’s a good thing that the defense is solid. Veron and pikolín Placios are back, as is goalkeeper Sergio Bernal, who is entering his 21st season in the league.
Club America is in unfamiliar territory: the relegation zone. The post-Temo era has not been kind to the Aguilas. They have gone 4 tournaments without seeing the Liguilla. This season, though, they did not have a complete roster meltdown, though, only a partial one. America had a decent pre-season, so hopes again are high. Hopes are always high in the land of Americanismo, where liguilla tickets are seen as birthrights. But if that string of bad results starts to coagulate, former youth Tri coach Jesus Ramirez might have to hire a taster.
Guadalajara’s owner, Jorge Vergara, has already proclaimed the inevitability of his Chivas hoisting the trophy for the 12th time. But he said that before Chivas gave up 4 goals at Toluca last week. Like America, Chivas fans expect nothing less than a birth in the post season at a minimum. They missed both liguillas last year. The Chivas’ drought is only in severe stage (not exceptional, like Club America). Because of Guadalajara’s hiring philosophy, the Chivas (like the national team) has had a real problem finding goal scorers. But the rebaño is convinced they have found their man in Javier (el chicharito) Hernandez.
Cruz Azul had one of their worst tournaments ever last time out. They have hired the venerable Enrique Meza to right the ship. The players responded immediately by laying Cincinnati Steamer in their home opener vs. Chiapas. Meza is good coach and Cruz Azul has a talent laden squad. They should be right there at the end. Maybe.
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Pachuca and Toluca have been the two most successful teams of the decade, and there is no reason to think that they won’t be strong contenders this time around. The diablos have a talented young duo in the attack: Nestor Calderon and Raul Nava. They also can count on the leading goal scorer, Hector Mancilla. The tuzos, on the other hand, seem to just chug along. And as long as Damian Alvarez and Chaco Gimenez continue scoring goals for them, nothing will slow them down.
DARK HORSES
Chiapas played a great game at Cruz Azul last week, and look poised to make a big move this year. They solidified their goalkeeping with Conejo Perez, have a solid defense, and at times a potent attack. Unfortunately, they always seem to fall victim to their climate and fade in the tourney’s throes. The Chiapan jungle’s humidity makes Houston feel like Sedona. They really should petition to get a more accommodating gametime than their 5PM Saturday slot.
Puebla has a golden chance to show that last year was no fluke. They added everyone’s favorite filthy flopper, Carlos Ruiz. Jose Luis Sanchez Sola (chelís) has proven he can get the most out of a limited squad. The test now will be how he handles himself and the squad with raised expectations.
Tigres have always been the most coddled team in the Mexican Primera. Their roster is dripping with stardust, yet they never seem to get it together. Coach after coach is brought in, but the results are the same. To make matters worse, their stadium always sells out, so the fans accept their petulance and indifference with equal aplomb. While these indiscretions have dropped Tigres into the relegation fight, Daniel Guzmán is ready to pull another team out of the fire. He not only saved Santos from relegation a few years ago, he made them champions (and then was fired for his efforts).
COACHES ON THE HOTSEAT
In Mexico, they are all on the hotseat. A two game losing streak, and you might as well download Chopin’s funeral march on your iPod. It could be anyone, and it could happen as soon as this Monday. But two have their necks out the furthest if the wins don’t come.
Paco Ramirez. I’m not even sure why he’s the Chivas coach in the first place, but any kind of downturn, and it’ll be curtains.
Jesus Ramirez. America is a mess, but methinks it has more to do with their inept front office than anything the coach does.
So there it is. A little primer for the upcoming season. Who’s gonna win it? The smart money (if there is such a thing in the Mexican Primera) says it’ll be either Pachuca or Toluca. But usually a team comes out of nowhere to make a deep run. What the hell – Morelia.
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Total Comments 9
Comments
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I'm in Denver, am a relatively new soccer fan and have access to 5 spanish language channels, but can't figure out why to root for one FMF team over another (other than rooting against Atlante after seeing them in the Super Liga last summer (fights after losses in meaningless tournies? really?)). Little help?
I know, I should suck it up and get FSC and ignore it all...Posted 31 Jul 2009 at 07:25 PM by wahleyed 
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I think you left a very good contender for the title off
Monterrey will rape
and Indios will be the surprise of the tournament
Mark my words
in stone
lime stonePosted 31 Jul 2009 at 09:26 PM by Perndog2006
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wahleyed,
I came to like Pachuca because they seemed like a class team. That and they play well, of course.
Myself, I can't support Chivas. Not because of anything the team did, but because their fans were the worst behaved bunch of ingrates I've ever seen (And I grew up in Germany, I've seen riots ffs).Posted 31 Jul 2009 at 09:40 PM by mpkelty
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If you are a US national team suporter, go with Pachuca. They have J.F. Torres and hes one of the backups for the national team at CM.Quote:Originally Posted by wahleyed
I'm in Denver, am a relatively new soccer fan and have access to 5 spanish language channels, but can't figure out why to root for one FMF team over another (other than rooting against Atlante after seeing them in the Super Liga last summer (fights after losses in meaningless tournies? really?)). Little help?
I know, I should suck it up and get FSC and ignore it all...Posted 31 Jul 2009 at 11:14 PM by Cujo1126
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I still have hope that Cruz Azul will improve with time.
With the return of Torrado, Corona and Pinto I have no doubt they will have a better game against Pumas on Sunday.Posted 31 Jul 2009 at 11:25 PM by deedsofflesh
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mexican league is the most irregular league in the world. champions PUMAS might end up in last place, I mean look @ cruz azul last season. They were defending sub-champions and finished da season on a very bad note. Moving forward this is my prediction, Toluca will be in da liguilla as will pachuca. America blows it again but will qualify. Chivas will have a rough start. i give paco ramirez 5 games and hes out! even so I think chivas will bounce back and qualify, as will chiapas. by the way I belive 09 will be bofos year. he is gonna be awesome this year i promise.as for the last 3 teams it could be anyone. santos looked good as did san luis. cruz azul might be there and actually i 4got about pumas. I think theyl be there @ da end. well i cant give a prediction about da final but i think it will be between pachuca chivas or toluca. hopefully chivas!!
Posted 01 Aug 2009 at 12:51 AM by edgalindo19
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The Americans playing in Mexico:Quote:can't figure out why to root for one FMF team over another
Jose Francisco Torres (plays for Pachuca, native of Longview, Texas), Michael Orozco (San Luis; Orange, Calif.), Edgar Castillo (Tigres; Las Cruces, N.M.), Marco Antonio Vidal (Indios; Dallas) and Jesus Padilla (Chivas; San Jose, Calif.).
I watched Pachuca beat Queretaro last night, but Torres didn't play unfortunately. I suppose he's still injured. I'm also trying to catch Castillo's performances when I can.Posted 01 Aug 2009 at 04:47 PM by vegas guey
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glad to see queretaro back in la primera. sad about the loss.Posted 02 Aug 2009 at 02:17 AM by 760Epicenter
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Cruz Azul 4-ever baby!! I think they will recover from this weak start and go on to go deep in the playoffs.Posted 02 Aug 2009 at 11:05 AM by tigersoccer2005
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