Guard1anes Preview: the 2021 Clausura Kicks Off Today
The Guardianes 2021 Clausura gets underway tonight with 3 matches; Puebla vs. Chivas, Xolos vs. Pumas, and Mazatlán F.C. vs. Necaxa. With 2 of the Big 4 in play, we expect many eyeballs to be on tonight’s games.
Chivas is coming from a semifinal appearance where they lost to the defending champions, Club Leon, but did not make any major acquisitions during the off-season. The advantage they have this time around is that “King Midas” Victor Manuel Vucetich will be leading the charge from the beginning of the season.
After losing their coach only a day before the start of last season, many gave Pumas’ season loss, but they made it all the way to the final, where they also lost to Leon. Los Universitarios will get a chance to do it again but will have to do so without their second-leading scorer, Carlos Gonzalez, who signed with Tigres.
Saturday – 3 Matches
Saturday night will feature Tigres vs. Leon, what some pundits, including our own, El Super Mojado, are predicting will be the Final. There was much speculation that Ignacio Ambriz would leave the team to chase the European dream, but he decided to chase the back-to-back championships. In fact, Leon was the last team to achieve that feat when they won the Apertura 2013 and Clausura 2014.
Tigres’ failure to make major noise during the playoffs created some rumblings regarding Tuca Ferretti’s future. The manager has been with the team since 2010, and considering how many coaching changes take place in the league, undoubtedly, it is one of the most remarkable accomplishments. After winning the Concacaf Champions League by defeating LAFC last month, any doubt about who would be leading the team came to a halt.
The other Regiomontano team, Rayados, will kick off their season vs. Atlas on the road at Estadio Jalisco. The most significant news this off-season was the signing of Javier Aguirre to replace Antonio Mohamed. Aguirre had not coached in Liga MX since 2001 when he was in charge of Pachuca. El Vasco returns to a much different league, but with the managerial pedigree nonetheless. His arrival has boosted Rayados’ chances to make some noise this upcoming season, so keeping an eye on Monterrey will be vital.
Also, on Saturday, Las Aguilas del America will begin the post-Miguel “Piojo” Herrera era. The Argentinian and former Club America player, Santiago Solari, will lead the team from Coapa with hopes of returning to the top. Last season’s elimination against Chivas in the semifinals, thanks to 3 Super Chicotazos from Cristian Calderon, was the most humiliating moment for Club America fans. It will be interesting to see if Solari can overcome the shadow of one of the most beloved managers in Liga MX.
Sunday – 2 Matches
Sunday will feature the debut of Juan Reynoso in charge of Cruz Azul. Reynoso played for La Maquina the last time they lifted the trophy in the Summer of 1997, and chances are the pressure will be as accustomed. Los Azules are coming off one of the biggest Cruzazuleadas in recent memory, one which saw them blow a 4-0 lead to Pumas in the second leg of the semifinals during last season’s playoffs. The defeat forced Robert Dante Siboldi to resign. The Uruguayan had survived an early sacking and went on to have a respectable year with Los Cementeros. The match at Santos in Torreon will a solid first test for Reynoso.
Toluca vs. Queretaro will feature two teams trying to change their fortunes. Queretaro made their biggest splash since the signing of Ronaldinho by acquiring former Manchester United star Antonio Valencia. Though late in his career, many expect that the Ecuadorian still has some goals left in him. The most significant change for Toluca is the return of Hernan Cristante as head coach. The Argentinian is a goalkeeping legend for Los Chorizeros and managed them from 2016 to 2019.
Monday Night Futbol
Another season with Monday Night Futbol for Liga MX, who hopes to eventually make these matches a staple of the league’s regular-season schedule. The first round will feature Pachuca vs. F.C. Juarez, but it is doubtful that this game will get as many eyeballs as some of the other marquee matches. Pachuca added two vital players to their roster by acquiring Matías Catalán and Mauro Quiroga. For their part, Juarez’s biggest off-season move was the signing of Luis Fernando Tena. Despite that change, it is doubtful that the border team will impact this season, though it would be a pleasant surprise if they did.
The season is expected to be yet another competitive one, so be sure to visit our website and tune-in to the ETO Podcast every Monday and Thursday to catch up on the latest in Liga MX.
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