Esparza has been mentioned in the YAs at Tijuana thread, but I thought he deserved his own. The Liga MX database lists him as being a defender from California. DOB is 9 Jul 1999. http://sub20.ligamx.net/cancha/jugador/104876/jonathan-alonzo-esparza He's been with Tijuana since at least August 2014. He spent 2014-15 and 2015-16 with the U17s and continued to play with that team in this past fall's Apertura. He made one appearance with the U20s and in the Clausura he started the U20 opener, so perhaps he's moved up to that level to stay.
Get a U18 callup: http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/201...-for-u18-mnt-camp-from-jan-23-30-in-bradenton
Esparza was an unused sub yesterday for both the Club Tijuana Liga Premier team and the U-20 team. He started and played 61 minutes for the Liga Premier team last weekend. During the Apertura he made 11 starts for the U-20 team.
He's with Alebrijes de Oaxaca this season. TM seems to think it's a loan from Tijuana. Otro jovencito Jonathan Esparza de @Xolos se incorpora a @AlebrijesOaxaca para verter sus ganas y capacidad a favor de los sueños oaxaqueños en pisar con autoridad en el torneo #Apertura2018 del @AscensoMX. ¡¡¡Bienvenido!!!. #AlebrijesDePrimera👉💪💯🦗👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/g38FQ2czci— Alebrijes Oaxaca (@AlebrijesOaxaca) June 8, 2018
Esparza made his pro debut in Alebrijes' 2-0 loss to Morelia in Copa MX. Looks like he started at left back.
Edit: Two Jonathan Esparza posts in less than a minute! Esparza went the distance in a 2-0 road loss to Monarcas in the Copa MX last night. He stumbles defending the cross on the first goal, and it looks like the cross on the second goal deflects off him. During the 2018 Clausura he made 14 appearances (13 starts) with the Club Tijuana Liga Premier team scoring an own goal, picking up 2 yellow cards, and one red card. @TheFalseNine @bungadiri Jonathan Esparza at Alebrijes de Oaxaca (on loan from Club Tijuana)
I think it comes down to whether we believe Liga MX is “first tier.” I’m inclined to say yes, but I’ll ask @bungadiri. What do you think, time for a promotion?
No. He made his debut for a 2nd division team in a 1st tier nation. He graduates to the main YA forum.
Okay, that really expands the definition. I think most of us were sticking with 1st tier as the top 5 or so. YA Coaches, Youth Players and any players not playing competitively for a first division second tier league (Holland, Scotland, Norway, etc.) or 2nd division first tier league (England, Spain, etc.) As long as you give us clear guidelines, we'll help, but more promotions means more work for you.
I’m just going with what @bungadiri said a few posts upthread. But perhaps we do need more concrete guidelines on what constitutes a 1st tier league.
I guess there's already a thread for this, but I would suggest we stick to actual foreign league appearances in first division (and select second division) leagues as a reason for promotion. Cup stuff too often seems premature. And I've never gotten the thing where MLS appearances count for this purpose.
Motion to reopen the debate over why first team managers are in the YA "Academy" subforum? Let's do this!!!
Went the distance in a 0-0 home draw with Chivas in the Copa MX last night. He was playing left back. Beaten to a header at 0:47 in the below highlights.
Started in Copa MX: #LaAlineación ¡Así jugarán @Chivas y @AlebrijesOaxaca ! #SienteTuLiga ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/MIhduvTi58— Copa MX (@CopaMx) August 14, 2018
19 yr old right back goes the distance tonight in the Copa against Yarbrough and Leon and helps keep a 0-1 clean sheet. Let’s keep an eye on this kid. He’s a ‘99
Esparza went the distance in a 1-0 home loss in Ascenso MX play this weekend, his first league start in 3 league games to date in the 2019 Clausura. In the 2018 Apertura he made 1 start in the Ascenso MX, 3 starts in the Copa MX, and 3 starts with an Alebrijes Tercera de Oaxaca (fifth tier) affiliate. He picked up a yellow and red card with them.
He's with Club Celaya, starting in a Copa MX match: Les dejamos los convocados para formar el cuadro titular para enfrentar a @Dorados en el primero partido de @CopaMx .¡A darlo todo, Toros! #SinExcusas pic.twitter.com/nvk8CVgx2n— Club Celaya 🥚🥚 (@TorosCelayaCD) August 8, 2019 @TheFalseNine -- Let's update the header, por favor.
Starts in Copa MX: Así saldrán @ClubNecaxa y @TorosCelayaCD a la cancha del Estadio Victoria para el partido correspondiente a la #Jornada4 del #Apertura2019 en la #COPAMX #SienteTuLiga pic.twitter.com/65XcGNRd6O— Copa MX (@CopaMx) September 4, 2019