LIGA GUATEMALTECA (National League)

You know that's not how it works lol. These "owners" have zero patience in actually continuing a process. Them and their sponsors are on a "what are you doing for me lately?" point of view. Sink or swim... that's a terrible atmosphere to nurture juveniles.

Out of curiosity.. whose the last real player Municipal has produced?

Crazy that they gave birth to some real playmakers and now.. nada.

 

We both know that's not how it works, unfortunately. But that's how successful teams work. And where the big money is, IMO. Grow players and put them out there like most other professional sport teams. And show you're really a Central American power.

You're right thought, maybe Rojos isn't the right place to nurture/grow players since obviously it's all about show me the money now. Perhaps that should be their downfall. Maybe a team like Guastatoya turn into a new dynasty while Municipal continue to struggle in the league and live off of "we used to be" memories. Could even thrown Antigua and Coban into that category. Except that Antigua built their team off of Cremas older players.

I think the last player Rojos "produced" was Pappa, which at the time felt more like "just get me out of here and please dont let me come back" *groveling at the MLS teams feet*. Before that it was Fish and Plata. So that goes to show how long it's been.

 

God Damn. What are these youth coaches doing? Are they volunteers? Whose the reserves coach there? Ffs

 

It's incredible that they have these schools and lower age teams, but feels like not a single player from their system makes it to the top league. Or if they do they're left on the bench. I remember 2-3 years back they had Pedro Altan, was looking pretty damn good at 18 years old. Got hurt, then boom, gone. Like he never existed.

Not that I'm surprised. At time it feels like rojos do a complete team overhaul at the end of every tournament.

 

Maybe nowhere near Ruiz, Pappa or Pando, but the "closest" one would be Jose Martinez. Unfortunately, he broke his leg and will be off for the next six months. Still 21, and was fighting for top scorer in the league
Let's hope he returns stronger than ever, but im afraid he'll go the same way our other youth prospects go


Anyways, la liguilla about to start and it looks good (at least for me )

1. Guastatoya
2. Xelaju

Playoffs
6. Antigua vs 3. Comunicaciones
5. Coban vs 4. Malacateco


Guasta are the favorites for title closely followed by Xela. A ver que pasa

 

I think Antigua and Malacateco move on.

 

I'm not sure, though Antigua has had Cremas # in la liguilla for a while, they've been terrible lately. And Cremas might be inconsistent, but I think they'll make it to the semis.

For the other one I agree. Malacateco is simply unbeatble at home

 

Tapia is saying today's game was fixed and that the refs clearly wanted Cremas to win. What do you think @Chul0 ?

 

Hard to say. I didn't actually watch the game, but from the highlights, Cremas penalty is a joke while Antigua should've gotten one. The red card is fair imo

At this point I wouldn't to surprised if it is. But then again our referees tend to be incompetent af, si no mira Walter Lopez in Panama

What i do know tho, is that the league, and the federation hate Antigua after they fought and won the doping cases. They have a vendetta against them. Just look how they created a playoff so they could take away their CONCACAF CL spot y la suspension a Thompson for 6 months.

 

I can see the league hating on them, especially since they're getting out of the Cremas/Rojos shadow. But I wonder why the fed would be involved? Maybe playing the political game of you scratch my back I scratch yours. Our league is pretty scummy that way for sure. A huevo queiren que no cresca el futbol especially when it's not Cremas or Rojos. I wonder how long Guastatoya will be able to keep away from that bull

 

Cause everyone who gets to power in the federation is corrupt af unfortunately
.

 

I was having the same conversation with Guti and you hit the nail on the head. It doesn't matter who's at the helm of the Fed, because in the end it's politics, and a business. And in both you're dealing with shysters and having people scratch your back and you scratching theirs. You're going to get dirty regardless.

 

La federacion nada mas la usan para una de 3 cosas
1. Robar
2. Trampolin politico
3. Both

It's just sad and infurianting


Anyways, estuvieron buenos los "playoffs". Especially the Coban-Malacateco

Semifinals

Coban - Guastatoya
Cremas -Xela

No favorites imo.

 

Today was the CCL draw. And I feel Guasta got "lucky". Not only did they avoid a mexican team but they manage to draw, de los de la MLS, el mas flojo (sure TFC is doing way worse in the league, but they made the final last time)

Se empieza en el mateo flores

Guastatoya vs Houston dynamo

 

Guastatoya back to back champs. Hope they can take that through to CCL and have a good showing.

 

Well I'm basically a frustrated soccer player/coach/journalist who sometimes has too much time in his hands. And now that another season is about to start, I decided to make a list of any potential "prospects" that might get any significant minutes. Looking at how Mexico (Lainez, Chucky, Gonzalez, Alavarado, Gonzales), the US (Pulisic, Sargent, Mckennie, Adams, Steffen etc), Honduras (Calix, Ellis, Rochez, @Catracho_Azul help me out lol), Canada (Davies, Millar), Costa Rica (Smith, Reyes, Torres, Cruz), Panama (Murillo) Jamaica (Bailey) keep producing players and we keep regressing has me feeling wistful. Just as a heads up, this will most likely be very wordy so feel free to ignore it.

I know these kind of things rarely work out in the long run, especially in our league, however, I find it incredibly cathartic. I will try to keep up with their progress as much as I can, but cannot guarteed that I will do so since this league tends to be incredibly frustrating. Nevertheless, I must mention that these names are highly speculative due to the fact that I haven't been able to keep up with the league as much as I used to. Which might be a positive thing now that I think about it. Anyways, here is the list in the order I believe teams will end up at the culmination of the regular season. For those clubs I haven't included any players I hope to discover new prospects as the tournament progresses. I only included players born after 1996 (u-23)

1. Guastatoya
Name. Position. Age.

Rudy Barrientos***. CM. 19.
As of right now, he is a legitimate option for Amarini's rotations as he has been for the past 2 seasons. He has played important games such as semifinals and hasn't looked out of place. I hope he somehow works himself into the starting lineup for the CONCACAF CL though, because I see him as a starter for the NT and playing abroad in a few years. And this tournament could provide the perfect platform for scouts to see him. That's how much I rate him.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

Carlos Orellana*. ST. 19.
I still wonder how things would've turned out if he'd play the u-20 qualification. I like him, but I don't see him displacing Rodriguez, Martinez or Acuña. He'll be lucky to get some minutes here and there like last season.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

2. Municipal

Nicholas Hagen***. GK. 23
It is no secret that he hasn't developed as most of us had hoped. He still struggles in the air and is awkward with his feet. However, as the only decent GK to come through in the last few years, he's our only hope once Motta & Jerez retired. Supposedly, Horacio Cordero will be alternating goalies so he'll get significant minutes. If I were him however, I'd swallow my pride and go to a smaller team where he can be the undisputed #1 and be tested on a regular basis.
NT member

Denilson Hernandez*. CB. 21.
Made his debut against Cuba and didn't look out of place. He will be 3rd choice at best though (Payeras' still injured), so hopefully he manages to get some minutes.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

Carlos Monterroso. RB. 19.
Another player who couldn't make the u-20 for Visa troubles. I don't rate him as highly but he started the clasico last season and performed outstandingly for someone his age. Let's hope he's not another Vides or Chaco Jimenez (he can still make it tbf). Currently part of the U-23 NT.

Nery Cifuentes**. LW/ST/LB. 18.
I still don't know where his future lies position wise. But he impressed me as an attacking LB with the U-20. Dude ran up and down the pitch whole game without getting tired. He reminded me of Martinez Norales in a way. I don't think he will be getting much minutes with Rojos unfortunately.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

Carlos Alvarado***. CM. 19.
It's a shame Marquense went down. They, along with Suchitepequez, were one of the few teams who kept playing and producing players. He's not a starter as of right now, but Cordero has alternated between Rosales and Alvarado the base of his midfield during pre-season. Wouldn't be surprised if he ends the season as a starter. He's still raw, but the talent and character is there. I'm surprised he hasn't been called to the U-23.

John Mendez***. CAM. 19.
I'm so happy he's back. Saw him against Aguila and he was arguably Rojos' best player, even opening the score. He seems to have picked up where he left off a year ago when he was suspended, so at least he won't go the way of Ceballitos. He's a definite starter for Cordero and I feel is time for Claveri to call him up. I still remember the first time I saw him play for the u-17 , he was the 2nd best player after Abel Lemus. It's a shame the latter didn't make it.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

Jose Martinez***. ST. 21.
Currently injured, but I hope he doesn't go the way of Hernan Sandoval. Still managed to come as the second best goalscorer (10 G), even though he played 600 fewer mins than Tin Herrera (11 G). Dude is our best hope as center forward and had a legitimate shout to go abroad before his injury. I hope he comes back stronger than before.
NT member

3. Comunicaciones

Jose Aguirre**. GK. 16.
Most likely won't get any minutes, however, he's already the 3rd goalkeeper so I decided to include him. After Hagen, there's just him, so Comunicaciones better not hinder his development like they have done for their youth for the past decade. He's the captain of the u-17 NT.
Currently part of the U-17 NT.

Carlos Estrada*. CB. 21.
In hindsight, he made a huge mistake leaving Malacateco. There, he was a starter since he was 15 and even managed to become captain by the age 17. He has regressed massively though and only plays if everyone else is injured. He has been playing for an impressive Cremas B side however(they eliminated Sanarate, Comunicaciones & Guastatoya), so there's still hope for the guy.

Jose Milla*. LB. 22.
I don't know why he came back. He went on loan two seasons ago to Siquinala and was performing at a high level showcasing his attacking qualities and long range ability. He's a starter for Cremas B but has Morales and Larin ahead of him in Cremas A. He'll be lucky to get some minutes.

Cristian Ojeda**. CAM. 22.
Another player being wasted at Comunicaciones. Hasn't had a legitimate shot even though he's been killing it with Cremas B. I rate him very highly but if he doesn't leave soon he will never make it I'm afraid.

Lynner Garcia. LW/RW. 19.
Coito seems to rate him a lot. He became a legitimate option when chasing a result last semester. He even brought him in during the final. He has decent speed, decent size and decent dribbling. I heard he has disciplinary issues though. But now that Ceballos is gone, he will continue to get playing time.

Oscar Mejia*. LW/RW/ST. 19.
He has regressed massively. Has trouble even controlling a ball, it's quite sad. The U-20 elimination has had a negative impact it appears. He's still young though, so there's still hope. And as long as Coito believes in him, he will continue to get playing time.

4. Xelaju

Javier Gonzales. RB. 20.
Haven't seen him play, but he had decent minutes last season. And the only competition he has right now is an aging Estacuy (34), so I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes the starter. He's currently captaining Xela u-20 in Mexico. He scored 2 goals against a third division club yesterday but lost 5-0 today against Cruz Azul. They still have to play America u-20.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

5. Coban

Angel Cabrera***. RB. 22.
Undisputed starter for Coban imperial and the NT with Claveri. Very good going forward but still suspect when defending. His height and slight frame are a worry however. Was terrible against Israel but I'm not ready to give up on the kid just yet. NT member.

Daniel Guay. CAM. 20.
This dude was hyped up not long ago due to being part of Levante in spain. He failed to perform with the '17 u-20 however. He's clearly talented though and he's been decent for Coban when he's had the chance. He might get to be a serviceable player in the long run but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Yonathan Moran*. RW. 21.
Not too familiar with the guy but I get the impression he's a natural goalscorer. From what I've seen he might be someone to follow closely.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

Franzue Rivas**. ST. 18.
Dude is a bull. Tall, strong and good link-up play. He didn't perform as well for the u-20, but if he continues to develop, he has the potential to go abroad eventually. It is a shame Coban prefer to play foreign "paquetes" over him.

Jorge Tello. ST. 19.
Haven't seen much but he already has a few goals to his name. A lot of the Coban Fanbase seem to rate him a lot. Let's see if the hype is warranted

6. Antigua

Jose Ardon. CB/RB. 18.
From what I saw in the u-20, he might be a player to follow this season. Especially now that Antigua hired a coach who has a background in juveniles. His only competition at RB is Jimenez. So he should at the very least be able to compete for the spot.

Oscar Castellanos***. CM/CB. 18. One of my favorite players in the last u-20 cycle. Along with Barrientos, they always seem to know where the best passing option is. His runs from centerback were probably my favorite thing about him. Now that Thompson is gone. He should get more minutes than last season.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

Marco Dominguez*. CM. 22.
He's been tried in the CDM spot so far in preseason. He's physically imposing, let's see if he's more than just that.

7. Malacateco

8. Sanarate

Allan Ortiz. CB. 20.
Made his debut for the senior NT against Cuba in Xela not long ago. Didn't have enough time to make an impression, but he's part of the Pre-Olimpica so he must have something.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

Pedro Altan***. CAM. 21.
He has stagnated. No question about it. But he's arguably the most talented player of the '97 generation. We need him to start performing like we all know he can. We don't have enough players with his talent for it to go to waste.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

9. Siquinala

Luis Rosas***. LW/RW. 19.
I was completely disappointed with his performance in the last u-20. But he's very talented, and we can give up on talented ones.

Oliver Rodas*. ST. 21.
He's not very fast, strong or tricky. Yet he knows how to score goals (6 goals in 829 mins). He managed to form a great partnership with Arce last season. Let's see how he does with Blancas this time around.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

10. Iztapa

11. Petapa

Donato Dardon. CB. 19.
Was part of the U-20 although he didn't get any minutes. He is a starter for Petapa though. However, idk if this is because he's very good or because Petapa is terrible.

Jose Morales. LB. 22.
He was very close to returning to Municipal this winter. Currently a starter for Petapa but I'm not too familiar with the guy.

Esnaidy Zuniga*. CM. 19.
He seems to have lost a step after his injury during his loan to Sanarate. Hasn't managed to become a starter even though he made his debut 4 years ago. Lucky for him, Loredo seems to put a lot of trust in youth.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

Brolin Valdizon*. CM. 19.
Another one of "Los Repatriados". It's a shame he couldn't stay at Girona. Let's see if he can replace Rosales adequately.
Currently part of the U-23 NT.

12. Chiantla

2nd division

Oscar Santis** (19), Javier Estrada*** (17), Joel Motta* (19)

*** =Top prospects
** = Good
* = Decent
No * = Not familiar enough

Subject to change haha

 

RIP this section. Hasn't been the same since like '06 ;_;

 

The King that was promised has arrived. It appears we have finally found the great Nacho Campollo's heir

 

No jodas. Desde que llego Paiz se sabia que el titulo era de Municipal. Se la pasaron robando todo el torneo. Even the final. Heck they even removed doping testing para que el gambeta jugara drogado. And before you call me salty, riddle me this. Who's arguably the best referee in Guate and why wasn't he assigned for any of the finals????


Oh y ahuevo. Ahi esta mi gallo Rudy. A ese cerote lo vengo inflando desde hace rato. Too late to stop now ahhaa. Aparte Bini me recuerda a Machain. Medio mula para plantear partidos, but due to their background with their youth teams they're not afraid to give youth a chance (Kenderson, Rudy, Choco, John)