Photo Credit: Club America
By Jonny Rico
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“Remember who you are.” That is one of the most iconic lines/advice from the mid 1990s. The advice came half way through the legendary movie The Lion King. A deseaced Mufasa adviced his son Simba to “remeber who you are” from the beyond. Young Simba, destrot from losing his father led a live which did not suit the greatness which he was meant for. And a timily remainder from his dad set him straight and allowed Simba to take his rightful place as King of the Jungle.
Bad things will happen when we forget our true identity. When we are not true to ourselves we do not live the life we were meant for. This message needs to be passed on to the Club America manager and club directors. Whether it is this Prost Amerika article or a message from Mufasa himself, it is impreative that Club America receive the message.
Club America is the most successful club in Mexican soccer history, it is the most successful club in CONCACAF history and it has acheived this disticnt honor in a certain style. Ever since Emilio Azcarraga, owner of Telesistemas Mexicanos (now Televisa), bought the team in 1959 the team has been run like a busniess. Azcarraga admited to not knowing much about soccer. But was told who the best manager was, who the best director was and that the best players came from Brazil and Argentina. He promised that with his money he would bring in the best in order to turn the club into the best.
For decades Club America has prided itself in importing some of the best talent that has ever set foot in Liga MX. But the glory years all seem to far behind.
The era of humility has now struck Club America. The concept of humility has spread throught the Mexico City giant like a virus infecting and destroying the club from within.
General Manager Ricardo Pelaez and manager Ignacio Ambriz had a big responsability this 2016 Apertura season. They would be the ones in charge of the club as it celebrated its 100th anniversary. Ultra demanding fans had higher than usual expectation for the team during the Centennial season. Expectations which are are not being met.
Following the a semifinal elimination to cross town rivals Pumas UNAM in the 2015 Apertura, Club America then followed up with an embarrasing showing at the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup. The humiliating international participation was followed up by yet another semifinal elimination in the 2016 Clausura. Fans expect and demand much more from the powerful Club America.
For the 2016 Apertura, the Centennial season, Club America was expected to open up the bank accounts and sign a big marquee player that can help return the team to another league title. Fans were also looking forward to facing a big European club in a friendly match to celebrate the centennial. Die-hard America fans also wated the opportunity to purchase the once in a life-time 100th Anniversary conmemorative jersey.
Ambriz and Pelaez came up short on all three accounts before the season even begun. There would be no special edition jersey. Negotiations failed to bring a top European club for a friendly match. And it was decided that only three low key signing would be arriving to the club for the centennial season.
Pelaez and Ambriz argued that the there was no room for big superstar signings. The goal of the management was to build a unified team which worked hard with humblness.
Pressure would be on more than ever at Club America. With all preseason centennial expectations failed, it was now a must that Cub America deliver on the field. League title, cup title, Copa Libertadores qualification, rivalry victories and a much better showing at the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup are all now demands set on Club America.
Saturday night’s 3-0 loss to Chivas Gudalajara in the Liga MX SuperClasico has left evidence that humility does not suit Club America very well. Down by two goals with 10 minutes left in the game and only one sub left, Ambriz was forced to debut a u-20 striker by the name of Diego Pineda.
America needs to “remeber who you are” real quick. It needs to remeber that it is the league’s most successful club and that it has acheived such distiction with a certain level of arrogance. America needs to remember that its unofficial slogan is “hate me more”. It needs to remember that it is suppose to dominate the league with power and not just humblely participate.
MLS
