Club América struggles with injuries in fight to avert penalties
Club América is currently facing significant challenges in the Apertura 2025 tournament. Under the management of André Jardine, the team has secured only one victory in three clásico matches, including a recent defeat to Cruz Azul. Compounding these difficulties, they have lost promising player Isaías Violante to injury during a friendly against Chivas.
Injury Woes for Club América
Violante was an integral part of América’s youth structure, especially in fulfilling league requirements for youth player minutes. This setback is even more pronounced with another key player, Dagoberto Espinoza, sidelined due to a torn ACL. His injury will keep him out for the remainder of the tournament and the beginning of the next season.
Regulatory Challenges
As the Apertura 2025 moves forward, Club América still has four matchdays left. However, they must record an additional 260 minutes for young players to adhere to Liga MX’s regulations. This presents a pressing dilemma for Jardine.
Players Who Must Step Up
With both Violante and Espinoza unavailable, three players are poised to fill the gap: Ralph Orquin, Miguel Vázquez, and Patricio Salas. Although all three have played this season, Vázquez and Salas have combined for less than 20 minutes on the field. This lack of experience puts added pressure on Jardine to balance competitive performance with compliance to the youth minutes rule.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failing to meet the required youth minutes can result in severe penalties for Club América. The club would face a deduction of three points from their standings, which could jeopardize their playoff qualification and seedings. In addition, a 15% cut in player development funds could hamper the club’s future investments in their youth system.
Conclusion
The situation for Club América is precarious as they strive to navigate injuries while adhering to league requirements. As the tournament progresses, how Jardine manages his squad and the youth-player minutes will be crucial in determining the club’s success this season.
