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What’s next after no relegation?

By Nestor Esquivel

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 15: General view of the empty stadium prior to the 10th round match between America and Cruz Azul as part of the Torneo Clausura 2020 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on March 15, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. The match is played behind closed doors to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 15: General view of the empty stadium prior to the 10th round match between America and Cruz Azul as part of the Torneo Clausura 2020 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on March 15, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. The match is played behind closed doors to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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With the 5 year break on promotion/relegation in first division Mexican soccer what is to be expected in Liga MX due to no relegation?

Feels like just yesterday’s teams as Chivas, Atlas, Veracruz, and others feared the very real reality of relegation. Now, a new reality sets in with no relegation. Well other than Veracruz who was taken behind a shed and put out of their misery. That’s beside the point though, moving forward is going to look different. With that being said, how will Liga MX do without relegation?

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – MARCH 07: Lorenzo Reyes #21 of Atlas fights for the ball with Jesús Angulo #19 of Chivas during the 9th round match between Atlas and Chivas as part of the Torneo Clausura 2020 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on March 7, 2020, in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – MARCH 07: Lorenzo Reyes #21 of Atlas fights for the ball with Jesús Angulo #19 of Chivas during the 9th round match between Atlas and Chivas as part of the Torneo Clausura 2020 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on March 7, 2020, in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images) /

Without relegation will the sad reality of less competition exists. Will Liga MX turn into a version of MLS with a worse and older version of the Draft? Will teams start investing in youth players to develop and star in the first team and possibly be sold due to the fact of less pressure to stay in the top Mexican Division?

Those same lowly sides who have been struggling to stay relevant don’t have to “win now” to avoid relegation. When that pressure is taken away it allows the growth of youth development. Clubs as America have been gifted to have such a good system of development from Edson Alvarez, Diego Lainez, and Sebastian Cordova.

Then America would integrate them along with the likes of gifted South American players as they compete for championships and make the club money when those players are sold. Most teams aren’t that well run, struggle to integrate youth with talent from other places, and no matter who they play they can’t compete, and lose money.

Next. 3 players Chivas need to sign this summer. dark

This break from relegation gives these teams a breathing room, without these pressures of relegation there may be a surge in Mexican talent sprouting all over the league because it might be cheaper to develop homegrown players than buy South American players. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some teams that are attempting to recover financially field almost all Mexican players with only a few foreigners, like a Copa MX match.

Suddenly, Mexican players may become more bountiful and cheaper around Liga MX. Next thing you know Mexicans may be exported to Europe due to their cheaper prices being able to compete with pricing in South America. That thought may seem farfetched but Liga MX may spring talent out of teams being cheap and not under the threat of relegation.

A lot of people from pundits, players, and fans alike are upset this move happened. A new league will be raised to replace Liga Ascenso with Liga Balompie and former Chivas player Carlos Salcido will lead the league by way of being their president. It’s very easy to be negative especially with the world in the state it’s in, but if even 1 thing positive comes out of this. One can only hope that’s it’s something the FMF has lacked achieving year after year and that’s translating youth talent to the biggest league in Mexico in Liga MX.

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