Winless Toluca hosts undefeated America on Sunday and Diablos coach Ricardo La Volpe desperately needs a win.
Just as summer acquisition Giovanni Dos Santos is settling in at America, Aguilas fans now have another reason to cheer. The Mexico City powerhouse just signed goalie Guillermo Ochoa to take over the spot vacated by Agustín Marchesín, who was voted the league’s top keeper for the 2018-2019 year. Marchesín left America to sign with Portugal’s Porto.
Coach Miguel Herrera is happy with his new toys and his team is one of the three remaining unbeaten teams in Liga MX, so the Aguilas have reloaded on the run. America 2-1-0 and its 7 points have the team in third place.
Not all is good news, however. Striker Nicolas Castillo suffered a lower leg fracture last week and is expected to be out until November. Dos Santos came in for Nico against Tijuana and assisted on the go-ahead goal before scoring the clincher just before the final whistle.
Hosting America is winless Toluca, one of four Liga MX teams without a win. The Diablos are 0-1-2 (1 point) and in 17th place with a -4 goal differential.
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Although Toluca might not have been viewed as a title contender, La Volpe’s team was certainly considered a potential playoff team.
The Diablos were upset at home by Queretaro in the season opener, but that loss now doesn’t seem like a fluke as the Gallos Blancos are in first place (pending the outcome of Sunday’s Santos-Puebla match). However, last week’s 2-0 loss at Juarez is inexplicable.
Toluca must turn their season around in hurry, but facing a playoff-hardened team like America will be no easy task.
Prediction
America seems to be putting things together. Not only is Gio getting comfortable with his new teammates, but last season’s newcomer Nicolas Benedetti is getting fit after breaking a toe in April.