"It was a busy Wednesday night for young Americans playing in the second round of this year’s Copa MX.... In Tuesday’s Group 1 games, Ventura Alvarado again started for Club América, going the full 90 minutes in the in-form Águilas’ 3-1 victory over Altamira. The 20-year-old defender again won plaudits and could be in line for a potential first-team slot in the league next season, with Diego Reyes making the move to Porto...." http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/24/american-exports-beasley-stars-pueblas-copa-victory From the 2-0 win in the prior leg:
Yep looks like he did, when I checked ligamx.net after the game was over, must not have been completely updated. But they have it on there now that he was subbed in the 86th min, Toluca scored the equalizer in the 94th min.
Cap him. (Seriously, this time we're talking about a CB playing for one of the biggest teams in the hemisphere. Let's get this kid in a camp and give him a look.)
Just scored the tying goal for Club America (on a set-piece because, hey, he's a US kid!) against Necaxa in the Copa Mex.
Club America wins 3-1. Shortly after our boy tied it, America took the lead and then iced it in extra time with a golazo. Alvarado reminds me of Carlos Bocanegra. Slightly undersized for a CB (though perhaps not in Mexico) but strong, athletic and good in the air.
Ok...we have to call this guy in now right? Playing CB for Club America and scoring? I hope Klinsmann has him on his radar, because...you know, we need CBs.
He hasn't started a Liga MX game yet, just in cup games and with their reserves, but he's making nice progress.
I've never understood why the odd set piece goal from a defender is often a catalyst for NT talk. Alvarado is a defender and his first job is to defend. Things like ability to score on set pieces and distribution are important, but clearly subordinate to defending. We just saw Omar Gonzalez, who has 100+ games for the Galaxy, has played in MLS Cups, CONCACAF Champions League, was Defender of the Year, etc look discombobulated in a World Cup qualifier. Alvarado is just a guy who occasionally starts for the B-team that American puts in Copa MX games. He's clearly making progress, but he isn't anywhere near the NT depth chart yet.
True. And the goal he allowed last night looked awfully similar to the one OG allowed vs. Honduras in terms of a moment of ball-watching leads to losing your mark and leading to a tap-in. A lot to like with Alvarado and I think using the Terrence Boyd standard you can justify calling him in to a camp but he's not ready to contribute in qualifying. The Gold Cup, however...
^ this is what I was talking about. Obviously I'm not wanting Klinsmann to consider him for WCQ or anything. Sorry, should have been more clear about that.
According to this, Venutra went the second half for Club America in their 5-3 Copa MX win over Toros Neza. http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=match&id=1426639 The same link says fellow Yank Ernest Nungaray started and went 51 minutes for Neza.
Unfortunately for the YAs involved, Nungaray came off and Alvarado came on before Toros Neza scored any of their three goals. I have no idea if Alvarado was culpable for any of the goals, though.
"Ventura Alvarado continued his rise up the ranks of Club América ... going 90 in his club’s 1-0 home loss to Toros Neza." http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...rs-club-tijuana-top-corinthians-copa-libertad
Cup game, but he was an unused sub in their league game yesterday. He'll get his chance next season to win a starting CB spot since Diego Reyes will be going to Porto this summer.
Hearing that Alvarado is in the mix to start in place of Diego Reyes in Sunday's huge Clasico match against Chivas. Would be a huge opportunity for him, and could put him on Klinsmann's radar.
With Reyes leaving, they really do need to find a solution at CB. He's been in the system for awhile, so if it's really just between him, Efrain Juarez, and El Topo, he's got a good shot at it. I know these things don't always work out the way you'd prefer, but how awesome would it be to have a CB consistently starting for America.
Well that would be quite the first LigaMX start for Ventura. Did Reyes pick up a knock during the WCQ on Tuesday? 5 days seems like good enough rest (especially for the Clasico and that America is in 3rd place), and he didn't have to do that much in our game.