FanPost

Americans Abroad: Mexico - January Update

I spend a lot of time on this website reading articles and having conversations about the goings on of American soccer players who are in and around the national team picture. The focus tends to be on players who make their club careers in Europe, which makes sense because thats where the best players go to play. However Americans playing abroad in the western hemisphere receive a lot less attention, possibly even less than their counterparts in MLS. I wrote a longer summary of what Americans did in Mexico following their Apertura, and for the Clasura season I thought I might make a monthly series documenting what is going on in the leagues immediately to the south. I'll start with an overview of who is playong where and how those clubs have performed to that point, and follow up with more detailed specfics that I think are interesting.

League Overview (4 games played)

- - - - - Club - - - - - - - - Goals - GA - - - - Players

  1. Monterrey . . . .12 . . . 5 . . .
  2. Guadalajara . . 4 . . . 1 . . . Tony Alfaro
  3. Tigres UNAL . 6 . . . 3 . . . Eduardo Fernández
  4. Atlas . . . . . . . . 8 . . . 6 . . . Omar Gonzalez
  5. Necaxa . . . . . . 5 . . . 3 . . . Ventura Alvarado
  6. Cruz Azul . . . . . 3 . . . 2 . . .
  7. Santos Laguna 3 . . . 3 . . .
  8. Toluca . . . . . . . . 5 . . . 3 . . .
  9. Lobos BUAP . . . 6 . . . 6 . . . Michael Orozco
  10. Club América . . 7 . . . 4 . . .
  11. Pachuca . . . . . . 4 . . . 7 . . .
  12. Leon . . . . . . . . . 8 . . . 5 . . . Will Yarbrough
  13. Puebla . . . . . . . . 3 . . . 4 . . .
  14. Monarcas . . . . . 3 . . . 4 . . .
  15. Club Tijuana . . . 1 . . . 6 . . . Joe Corona, Loan Army
  16. Pumas UNAM . . 3 . . . 5 . . .
  17. Veracruz . . . . . . 0 . . . 4 . . . Rodrigo Lopez
  18. Querétaro . . . . . 2 . . 11 . .
Interesting Notes:

Omar Gonzalez (30, CB) - Omar has been a stalwart for an Atlas side that has had a strong start to the Clasura season, playing every minute of their 3 cup matches and 4 league matches. However it is difficult to attribute the clubs success to their defense, as they have yet to keep a clean sheet since the calender turned to 2019, and as a result sport one of the worst defensive records in the league. He has played primarily on the left side of a back 3 or back 4.

Ventura Alvarado (26, CB) - Ventura has been an important part of Necaxa's Clasura. He has made 4 appearances for them and worn the captain's armband in each of them. Whats more Necaxa's strong defense has been a significant component of their winning ways. He also scored a goal in their first cup match of the season.

Club Tijuana - Oscar Pareja is off to a tough start in his 1st season at Tijuana, havong manged a side that has scored only 1 goal in 4 league games. He has a number of Americans at his disposal, including Joe Corona who recently returned from loan at América where he took on a significant role in winning the league playoffs. Since his return Corona has started Tijuana's cup matches (a draw and a loss) and been a bench option in the league (2 appearances for 49 minutes).

Beyond Corona are a range of players on loan with their Ascensio affiliate Dorados, including Rubio Rubin (22), David Arce (22), and Angel Uribe (19). Both Arce and Rubin appear to have regular roles for the team, and both scored a goal in the month of january. Another loanee, Jonathan Esparza (20) has made 2 starts for Oaxaca between Ascenso and the cup.

Hodgepodge - Michael Orozco (32) continues to make a living as a 1st choice CB for Lobos, starting each of their 4 league games. Will Yarbrough (29) continues to be Leon's cup GK, captaining the team and allowing 3 goals across 2 starts, while receiving 0 action in the league. Rodrigo Lopez (30) has claimed a role as the DM for Veracruz after spending the Apertura in the Ascenso. He has started all 4 of their league games (not in the 18 in the cup) and will be suspended for next match after receiving a red card. Alonso Hernandez (24) has played 3 games for Ascenso side Correcaminos and scored a goal. Jose Carrera (23) has become a regular for Ascenso side Celaya and has started in every game in their midfield.

Players making 0 appearances : Tony Alfaro (25, CB), Eduardo Fernandez (26, GK)

Please let me know if I missed anything, and I'm sure I have, in the comments. Do any of these players excite you?

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