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J.J. Macias, top Mexican scorer in Liga MX, is only 19

By Jahir M. Martinez

Jose Macias (L) of Leon celebrates with teammate Angel Mena his goal against Atlas during a Mexican Clausura 2019 tournament football match at the Nou Camp stadium in Leon, Guanajuato state, Mexico on April 20, 2019. (Photo by GUSTAVO BECERRA / AFP) (Photo credit should read GUSTAVO BECERRA/AFP/Getty Images)
Jose Macias (L) of Leon celebrates with teammate Angel Mena his goal against Atlas during a Mexican Clausura 2019 tournament football match at the Nou Camp stadium in Leon, Guanajuato state, Mexico on April 20, 2019. (Photo by GUSTAVO BECERRA / AFP) (Photo credit should read GUSTAVO BECERRA/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Leon won its 12th straight game – a Liga MX record – and 19-year-old J.J. Macias has been a major contributor.

Jose Juan Macias (pictured at left in photo) joined Leon from Guadalajara before the Clausura 2019 after the Chivas apparently determined the 19-year-old striker was superfluous to their needs. Right from the start, Macias began earning attention with his goals as Leon quickly evolved into a dangerous team.

Midfielder Angel Mena has gotten lots of attention as he has been putting up MVP numbers in goals and assists, but he has found a comfort level with the lanky Macias that has turned Leon into an offensive machine.

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Through 15 games, the Guadalajara native has recorded 7 goals, the most by any Mexican in the Liga MX and good for 5th place behind Mena who leads the way with 14.

On Saturday night, Macias contributed to Leon’s 5-2 victory over Atlas, stirring up the home fans as the Esmeraldas again demonstrated why they are sitting comfortably atop the league table.

Mena had already scored twice by minute 62, but the Zorros would not go away. Atlas won a penalty kick shortly thereafter and when Osvaldo Martínez converted in minute 68, Leon was only leading 3-2.

In minute 79, the youngster stepped up. Macias scored a magnificent goal after collecting a loose ball on the offensive side of midfield. The youngster dribbled about 20 meters to the top of the box just left of goal, cut back to his right foot as an Atlas defender flashed by and then fired a shot from 15 meters that hit the underside of the crossbar in the center of goal.

The win strengthened Leon’s hold on first place, with 38 points and a 5-point cushion over second place Tigres.

Surely, the Chivas regret giving up on Macias and sending him out on loan to Leon. While the teenager has 7 goals, Guadalajara’s top two strikers have only 6 goals between them (3 each for Alan Pulido and Alexis Vega).

However, if Leon wants to activate its option to buy Macias’ contract, they will have to shell out a pretty penny. The teenage striker was valued at 10 million dollars by the Chivas.

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