Goal.Commentary: Dissecting Mexico's Destitute

Edgar Pacheco's goal vs. Pumas | Jornada 1 was grand; everything went downhill from there.

What went wrong: All the financial problems that the club has gone through hurt all aspects of the club. Players were discouraged with the lack of payment for their services and that translated onto the field. The final blow came in the game against city-rivals, Chivas, where the game went downhill within seconds of the start. 

Atlas will succeed next season if: they get a few problems settled. First, Atlas need to sort out the problem of relegation; they are in spot 16 and close to the drop. That is the greatest of the team’s problem. Second, the administration needs to try and fix the internal problems and finally decide the future of Ricardo La Volpe.

CHIVAS

What went right: Going through a lot of coaches during the season seems to be the norm at Chivas so that went right this season. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez was amongst the five best scorers in the league. But about the only thing that still remains strong and is worthy of praise is their goalkeeper Luis Ernesto Michel.

What went wrong: For starters Chivas missed out of the Liguilla once more. The signing of Omar Bravo was a horrible one.  Bringing in Raul Arias for less than two months and then letting him go never helped their cause. The loss to America in the Azteca was a heart breaker.  Chivas allowed 29 goals this season which tied with Queretaro and Estudiantes as the leagues worse defense. And of course Going through three different coaching styles never helps.

Chivas will succeed next season if: Chivas will have success if they change their backline. The combination between Hector Reynoso, Jonny Magallon, and Aaron Galindo is not what it used to be. Chivas will also need another striker to help Hernandez and bringing in Adolfo Bautista is not the answer. They need to commit with one coach so that the players have consistency with the system of play.

ESTUDIANTES

What went right: The team successfully transitioned into wearing new uniforms and colors.

Bruno Marioni | Marioni and Estudiantes went out with a whimper.

What went wrong: Normally a side with low expectations, this season the club actually had some hopes for another Liguilla run, but a three-game in September destroyed those hopes. Overall, the defense hampered the club as Estudiantes allowed 29 goals – no club allowed more.

Estudiantes will succeed next season if: they get back to their Clausura ’09 form. That team featured a tough defense and timely goals. The backline could use an injection of talent and the goalkeeping position needs more stability, but Estudiantes have a solid base to work with.

INDIOS

What went right: Not a whole lot. Indios had a dramatic tie at Chivas and had three road draws.

What went wrong: Almost everything. For starters, Indios did not a single game all season long. Hector Hugo Eugui, who was hailed as a genius for having saved Indios from relegation and guiding them into the Clausura 2009 semifinals, was sacked after 10 games. Indios scored only seven goals all season and had a horrible minus-19 goal differential.

Indios will succeed next season if: the team can avoid relegation. Indios are in line to be relegated and have a lot of ground to make up with Queretaro. A win over Gallos whenever the two play next season is a must.

JAGUARES

What went right: Jaguares’ road form was unmatched as the club had a league-high 17 points with a 5-2-2 road record.

Bofo Bautista | Bofo was a flop this season.

What went wrong: Jaguares had to play some games at home, as they were one of two teams to go winless at home. Jaguares had just two points from eight home games. Even one or two wins would have gotten Jaguares close to a Liguilla spot.

Jaguares will succeed next season if: the road form is maintained high. Jaguares cannot possibly go through another season with such lousy home results, can they? Another double-digit point total on the road would be enough for playoff contention. Santos and San Luis were the only playoff teams from this season to have fewer than 10 road points.

PACHUCA

What went right: The start of the season. Pachuca started with three straight wins and a 5-2-1 record. Juan Carlos Cacho made a smooth return to the club, scoring seven goals in 15 games.

What went wrong: The defense was too flimsy, allowing 29 goals. Pachuca could have used a few more ties too, as their seven losses were too much to overcome. Still, fate did not smile on los Tuzos as their 24 points were good for eighth overall but San Luis (Group 1’s second place) reached the postseason with three fewer points.

Pachuca will succeed next season if: the club can tighten up defensively. Reaching the postseason is well within reach but the defense cannot allow anywhere near 29 goals and expect to contend.

Clausura 2009 Final | The mighty fell this season.

PUMAS

What went right: Very little worked out for the Mexican Clausura 2009 Champions. The win over America was a large accomplishment during the Jornada 15. 

What went wrong: The team started off with five straight losses and it seriously damaged the team for the remainder of the tournament. There was also a missing goal scorer. In total only 16 goals were scored with five of those goals coming from Pablo Barrera. 

Pumas will succeed next season if: they reinforce their squad. Reinforcements will be especially important towards the end of the season as Efrain Juarez, Israel Castro and possibly Pablo Barerra are taken away for an early training camp for the Mexican national team. 

QUERETARO

What went right: playing at home helped the newly promoted team’s cause. Out of the nine games played at home Queretaro only lost two. 

What went wrong: Having Hector Medrano, Valtencir Gomes, and Carlos Reinoso all as managers at different times of the season certainly did not help the team as they tried to settle into the Liguilla. The team also lacked a defense; they were on par with three other teams for the worst defense of the league with 29 conceded goals. 

Querataro will succeed next season if: they avoid relegation. The team is currently placed in second-to last place, but will need to work harder to perhaps avoid the drop. The team gained momentum going into the last stretch of the season, and they could carry on that energy. 

TIGRES

What went right: Tigres won the SuperLiga title and looked poised to be a top contender in the Mexican league.

Unlucky Lucas | Lucas Ayala was a non-factor this season.

What went wrong: Tigres at times looked like a real good team but inconsistency plagued the club. Lucas Ayala was supposed to have a break out season but he was unable to find the net. Tigres problems started from last season when they were at the brink of relegation. Tigres survived and showed more improvement this year.  The signing of Itamar Batista gave Tigres a needed boos in the scoring department but the forward also brought his problematic character into the locker room. Itamar Batista and Alfredo Gonzalez Tahuilan heated things up internally which sidetracked the team from their objectives.

Tigres will succeed next season if: Tigres have a good core of players but need to let Itamar Batista go. Lucas Lobos needs to see more of the ball and Tigres need to strengthen up in the back.

Sylvestre Adame, Luis Bueno and Andrea Martinez, Goal.com

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