America ties 3-3 against Pumas en el Universitario. Unfortunately, in these types of clasicos, America cannot tie or lose. But not only was the score bad, but also Coach Miguel Herrera setting back the team, and allowing Pumas to score two more goals. Roger Martinez was subbed on the field at minute 60, but it seemed as if America played with 10 players. It was right for the reporters and the fans to criticize the team after the score and the mistakes made on the field.
Coach Herrera started with a 1-4-3-3 line up. According to this line up, it is set up to be offensive than defensive. America started off losing the game at minute eight, and at 31 Leo Suarez scores. Federico Viñas scores and America is winning 2-1.
It was until Herrera changed the line up and subbed out Viñas at minute 81, and in exchange subbed in Ramon Juarez, a defender. Herrera sets back the team, and now has five defenders. Not only did this change create confusion between the defenders, but also captain Paul Aguilar allowed the two goals by Pumas. In both occasions Victor Malcorra (82′) and Juan Dinneno (84′) surprised Aguilar from behind and scored. Fortunately, at the last minute (90′) Henry Martin scores and ties the game.
Even though America was able to walk out of the field with a tie, if Herrera didn’t set back the team, America would have won the game. Instead of subbing in Ramon Juarez, Herrera should have subbed in a forward for a forward, in this case subbing in Giovani Dos Santos. After the two goals by Pumas, it wasn’t until minute 88 when Herrera decided to amend his mistake by taking out Aguilar and subbing in Dos Santos.
After the game, Aguilar takes the blame for leaving the field with a tie. “I am the only one to blame that today, we leave with a tie and not a win,” he says.
Some applauded Aguilar for taking ownership for the club’s tie, but for others, it didn’t change the mistakes done on the field.
As for Martinez, despite the fans disapproving his return to the team, he was given 34 minutes to play. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, Martinez has to win the trust and the respect of the fans. But in this game, he certainly made America fans hate him more.
America’s tie against Pumas feels like a loss, and the club must recuperate mentally and physically to face Atlanta United on March 11. Herrera must refrain from tying up the team, and start risking more on the offensive side in games. If Herrera doesn’t find his best 11 players, they may have to say good-bye to the ConcaChampions.
The Powerful Eagles ⏐ Las Poderosas Águilas 