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Liga MX: Will Lainez return to America’s lineup post-break?

By Garett Kerber

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 20: Diego Lainez of America celebrates a scored goal during the 13th round match between America and Tijuana as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 20: Diego Lainez of America celebrates a scored goal during the 13th round match between America and Tijuana as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images) /
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After his surprise inclusion into the Mexican U20 roster, will Diego Lainez have a starting role when Club America returns to Liga MX play?

More than a few eyebrows were raised when Diego Lainez was listed on the Mexico U20 roster. Lainez had started a couple of big matches in a row, so what good would it do the player to join the U20s? Not only that, but America was in the middle of a dogfight in Liga MX, and the Mexican Senior National Team would be having the FIFA International Break shortly.

In any case, Lainez joined the U20s and predictably dominated. The question, now, though, is whether Miguel “Piojo” Herrera will stick him back into the Club America starting lineup, after having been away from the club the last few weeks. Though Las Aguilas have only gained two points from the two matches without the young star, it took far too long for Piojo to work Lainez into the lineup in the first place. Perhaps the former El Tri manager will opt for continuity.

Whether he will or not, the right choice would be to work Diego Lainez back into the squad as quickly as possible. The team has lacked creativity without him on the pitch and he would instantly provide more energy and bounce in their game.

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After an understandably shaky start, the 18-year-old now has three goals on three shots in nine total appearances. Teams in Liga MX have tried to muscle up the 5’7″ midfielder, fouling him 1.4 times a game and surely getting close plenty of other times, but it has led to openings and more space for his America teammates.

Piojo needs to work him back into the lineup, the starting lineup, and it should come in Jornada 17 when they face off with bottom-of-the-table Veracruz. What better time to get him back in the fold than after a long international break, in which he didn’t play for the Mexican Senior National Team, against the worst team in Liga MX? If he can pick up where he left off, it immediately catapults Las Aguilas into the role of favorites for Liguilla. He would provide the creativity they need to go along with an already solid offense and stingy defense. This sounds simple, but strange things have happened under Piojo for Club America. Play the kid!

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