Club America draw against Club Leon in the second week of Liga MX

N. Benedetti with the ball vs Club Leon | Picture via twitter @ClubAmerica_EN

Leon, Guanajuato - Another poor performance for Miguel Herrera's side as Club America drew away from home against Club Leon in match week two of the Liga MX. Whilst the result may not be bad considering all things, fans and players a like will feel that this team should o've done more and should be producing better performances out on the pitch. While it may only be the second game under their belt in regards to Liga MX and many shouldn't be so quick to judge a team so early in the season. It is however the 4th competitive match for Las Aguilas and things still aren't looking good for the team from Coapa.

After their mid-day win in the inaugural Leagues Cup match against the Houston Dynamo, which saw the team win on penalties, the question was could they produce better on the pitch against Club Leon in the league? The answer was no, and if anything this game saw a downgrade in performance. While the narrative between both games stayed the same, the product on the pitch was far from what we saw on Wednesday night, and one could make the argument it was worse than what was expected out of this team. Miguel Herrera went out with a strong starting eleven for this game against Leon: A. Marchesin, P. Aguilar(c), B. Valdez, E. Aguilera, J. Sanchez, M. Uribe, G. Rodriguez, R. Ibarra, R. Martinez, N. Benedetti, N. Castillo.

Club America starting XI vs Club Leon | Photo via twitter @ClubAmerica

The opening minutes seemed promising for Las Aguilas as they exploded on the offense from kickoff catching the home team off-guard. Unfortunately Miguel Herrera's men where unable to keep that same rhythm for much longer and soon after Leon grew into the match and settle into the pitch and into their game. And that would be that, for the most part Leon would dominate the game, even if they didn't have the ball. Club America struggled in the first half to break down a well organized Leon who sat back when needed trying to catch America on the counter, which they did a couple of times. Frustration sank in quickly as passes began to be imprecise and short, players hesitating to make right decisions when on the ball and off it as well. With no real creativity coming from anyone on the pitch, the team fell into desperation and relied on playing long balls to Nico Castillo. The defense was disorganized at times when getting attacked, with both fullbacks struggling thru out the whole 90 minutes of this match made it seem that Leon's goal was coming, it was just a matter of when.

After the first 45 minutes where over it seemed like a halftime break was much needed for this side to recollect themselves and find a true playing style. Once the second half started it seemed like that break did nothing for the team as again they started the same way they ended, on the brink of collapse with Leon looking like the most dangerous side. Players that needed to step up like Nicolas Benedetti and Roger Martinez just weren't up to pare to the rhythm and demands of the game and because of that the attack of America suffered. Even the introduction of Giovani Dos Santos did little to no affect on how this team played. Whilst there was a moment in the match in which America seemed the better side and even won a penalty call, that would latter be turned due to VAR revision, there wasn't enough conviction from this side to really demonstrate the true talent on paper this squad has. They fell into desperation and frustration, never really playing to the style they had demonstrated in games past and resorted to cutting off play by fouling more than actually defending and attacking. Even being up a man after Club Leon's Fernando Navarro saw red for a late strong tackle on Jorge Sanchez, the team could not capitalize and at the end of 90 minutes the scoreline would remain 0-0.

Miguel Herrera will know he has much to work still as this team still has yet to see its best days on the pitch as far as functionality and team dynamic. There is no argument that the squad has vast talent but it's a matter of consistency that Herrera will be looking for from his side. Up next for Club America will be a home match against Tijuana in the Jornada 3 of the Liga MX.