PLAYING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC: LIGA MX SHOULD MIMIC EUROPE

Just when we thought life and soccer was close to returning to normal, the OMICRON variant came and knocked that back a few steps again. Leagues around the world have struggled to keep seasons going and games being postponed seem to be the norm now. With Liga MX already postponing 3 games due to COVID outbreaks, should they take the same approach as La Liga and the Bundesliga?

La Liga nadn the Bundesliga have both implemented postponement rules to keep their respective seasons going. In Germany, as long as 14 outfield players and one goalkeeper is available, the fixture will proceed. In Spain, as long as 13 outfield players plus the goalkeeper are available, and 5 of those players are first team players, the fixture will go on. What has been the result? An influx of youth in both leagues. Both leagues have debuted a number of youth players, including Nagelsmann giving 16 year old Paul Wanner his Bundesliga debut.

Liga MX should mimic their European counterparts in their postponement rules. Not only will it keep an already condensed schedule going, it will help solve a problem that has plagued Mexican soccer for years, the lack of opportunity for youth to break through.

Now, I’m not saying that this will lead to a youth revolution in Mexico, but it may be the opportunity a few youngsters need to be noticed. If the early success Pumas has had this season reforzandose from within isn’t enough to make other teams look within, then maybe the threat of losing points from not postponing games will. I know they’ve tried before, but last season three teams missed the new playoffs by three points, so the stakes are higher.

This is the time for Liga MX officials and Yon de Luisa to step in and pressure these teams to give youth an opportunity. La Seleccion is coming off maybe it’s worst summer ever, losing three matches to a much younger USMNT. If that isn’t the wakeup call they needed, then maybe the fact that the USA has sent another 10 players under 23 to Europe so far this transfer window is. 

If Liga MX wants to realistically compete with European Leagues, then they must begin to mimic them. COVID may be the catalyst needed to force Liga MX to adapt and join the youthwave taking over world futbol. 

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