3 Things to Expect from Chivas in 2020 and beyond.

This past season from Chivas was a forgettable one, if it wasn’t for Mexican Striker Pulido being the leading scorer for this past tournament it would have been another forgettable season since Argentine Head Coach Matias Almeyda has left the Guadalajara club. Thankfully after the relegation battle was over and they moved to the offseason El Rebano Sagrado finally got some much needed help in a new Sporting Director in Ricardo Pelaez. Pelaez along with owner Amaury Vergara have spent a lot this off season to ensure Chivas at least have the talent to make Liguilla and compete also. With that being said here are the top 3 things to expect from Chivas.

1.) Competition at starting spots.

Almost every single position with exception to left-back and right-back which Jesus Angulo and Nestor Calderon basically have locked up are up for grabs. From the central defenders, goalie, forward positions, as well as midfield. Some positions almost fill themselves as Alan Pulido leaving to the MLS, and Chivas on loan at Leon striker in J.J Macias returning. Still some of the more notable fights for starting positions will be Issac “Conejito” Brizuela and Uriel Antuna at Right Wing/Right Midfielder, Antonio Rodriguez and Raul Gudino at Goalie, Jose “Chofis” Lopez and Victor Guzman at Center Attacking Midfielder, Hiram Mier, Tibu Sepulveda, Oswaldo Alanis, and Antonio Briseno all at Center-back is also a toss up. Chivas coach Luis Fernando Tena will have a tough time finding playing time for some of these skilled players, and will be even more ridiculed if a team this talented find bad results early on in the season.

2.) Luis Fernando Tena’s Job.
Any newer coach is always under pressure, but a Rebano Sagrado team that has been under performing the previous couple of years that just fought off relegation, and had an amazing off season, offers even more pressure for coach Fernando Tena. He managed late in the past tournament, Apertura 2019, to utilize his team to the potential they could after coach Tomas Boy was let go, unfortunately Fernando Tena’s  took the helm too late to make a late than usual run for Liguilla. This up and coming season will be a make or break one that Coach Tena has to show good results for immediately to see if Guadalajara progress with him, or if Chivas ride the coaching carousel as many Liga MX teams do halfway through the season. Chivas went through three coaches last tournament, so it wouldn’t be anything new for them to offer the opportunity to someone else.

3.) Championship #13.

All the talk was before the final leg for America Vs. Monterrey finale in Mexico City’s Azteca had America fans yelling one thing and that was “Vamos por el 14″, which translates to, ” We are going for 14″, in which America currently holds the title for most championships in Liga Mx history at 13. Chivas follow roughly with 12, and Toluca at third with 10 Championships. New sporting Director, Ricardo Pelaez and owner Amaury Vergara made it very clear at a press conference held at Chivas facility about a month ago after the offseason signings were done that Chivas are here to compete, be in the conversation of competition, but most importantly being in the business of bringing back championships.

For Chivas historically every decade has had a team that makes a phenomenal run and wins it all. Whether it be a Chivas team led by Ramon Morales, Adolfo Bautista, and Osvaldo Sanchez in 2006 winning title 11, or it be a Chivas team in 2017 led by Alan Pulido, Jose “Gallito” Vazquez, and Rodolfo Pizzaro winning title 12. This team that Chivas have currently put together have the potential under the right coaching to add so many championships this decade that it maybe better than the Campeonisimo era in the late 50’s and early 60’s, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. Only time will tell.

Chivas fans can dream for now, but the anticipation is higher than ever for El Rebano Sagrado faithfuls after almost entering a new Dark Age in the past couple tournaments.