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Veracruz brings back temperamental Angel Reyna

By Jahir M. Martinez

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JANUARY 28: Angel Reyna of Toluca looks on during the 4th round match between Toluca and Cruz Azul as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Nemesio Diez Stadium on January 28, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JANUARY 28: Angel Reyna of Toluca looks on during the 4th round match between Toluca and Cruz Azul as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Nemesio Diez Stadium on January 28, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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Angel Reyna – once a promising player in Mexico – is set to make his return to Liga MX after signing with Veracruz.

Los Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz had an historically bad tournament in the Clausura 2019, failing to win a single game. Despite four ties, Veracruz finished the season with 0 points after FIFA ordered them to be stripped of 6 points after team owner Fidel Kuri refused to pay a training and development debt to a Uruguayan club.

Veracruz earned relegation to Ascenso MX but forked over a 120-million-peso buy-in fee to remain in the top division. Since then, Veracruz has slowly worked to bring in new faces, starting with hiring a new coach. Enrique “Ojitos” Meza, 71, will try to guide the Tiburones out of the relegation zone.

Meza has coached in Liga MX since 1992 winning three titles with Toluca and one with Pachuca. He most recently managed Puebla during the Clausura 2019 and has also led teams like Atlas, Cruz Azul, Toros Neza, Morelia and now Veracruz. Tiburones ownership is hoping the veteran coach and his disciplined style will help Veracruz collect enough points to climb out of the demotion zone.

One of the player Meza will be able to utilize is familiar with the Veracruz locker room, attacking midfielder Angel Reyna, 34. This will be Reyna’s third go-round with the Tiburones.

Reyna suited up for Veracruz during the Apertura 2013 and Clausura 2014 seasons, playing in 28 games and scoring 11 goals. Reyna returned to Veracruz for the Clausura 2017, playing 15 games and scoring once.

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Reyna enjoyed his best seasons with America, scoring 30 goals for the Aguilas while playing 92 games from 2009 to 2011. Overall, the mercurial playmaker has played with 10 different teams, including two stints with San Luis and three with Celaya, in addition to his previous engagements with Veracruz. His most recent time with a Liga MX club Toluca during the Clausura 2018.

Could Reyna be the answer to Veracruz problems on the field? Probably not at the moment since he has not played competitive football in six months. It will take a concerted effort from Reyna to adjust to playing in Mexico’s top division again.

Overall, Veracruz has a tough battle ahead, the main focus is to not be in the regulation zone along with the Chivas, Juarez and Atletico San Luis. It will take all the bits and pieces of each player to make sure Veracruz is not again a laughing stock of the Liga MX.

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