Photo Credit: Club America
By: Steve Graff
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Liga MX’s most successful team heads into the Clausura season hoping to get 2016 off to a good start. This will be a special year for the ‘Aguilas’ who will celebrate its 100th anniversary midway through the Apertura season. Manager Ignacio Ambriz will be under pressure to improve on his semifinal finish from the 2015 Apertura with his job possibly hanging in the balance.
America did not make a lot of changes once the Apertura ended. It added Brazilian forward William Da Silva from Club Queretaro, Uruguayan attacking midfielder Brian Lozano from Defensor Sporting Club and young Mexican forward Jesus Moreno from Second Division side Alebrijes Oaxaca.
For a side that has had three managers in as many years, this might be considered a “change of pace”. But some of the same fundamental holes remain in the club, both from a personnel perspective and a club culture perspective. The side at times can go on impressive runs of form, both in terms of record and goal-scoring. But it does so with relatively poor organization in defense and a relatively hit-or-miss attack that is brave in trying to take the initiative, but can’t break down well-organized opponents.
It also remain to be seen if the Ambriz will be able to effectively address the discipline issue within the club. Last season ended with Club America being the worst behaved with a total of 51 yellow cards and eight red cards between league and playoffs; including four red cards in the semifinal series against Pumas UNAM alone.
MLS
