It might not be the return to futbol that we hoped for, but the beautiful game will be back July 3rd. Hallelujah!!! The Copa por Mexico will be played from the 3rd to the 19th bringing high-profile soccer back into the limelight. A bit sooner than expected, Club Deportivo Guadalajara will be a playing a round robin Cup where the best 2 of each group will be able to advance to the Semis and from there to the Final.
The Copa por Mexico will be divided into 2 groups. The teams from the Occidente, Chivas, Mazatlan FC and Atlas, with the inclusion of northern neighbors, Tigres, form group A with the sede at the majestic Akron Stadium. While the teams from central Mexico, specifically Mexico City, Toluca, Pumas, Cruz Azul and America, will be playing at Ciudad Universitaria as Group B.
While fans will not be allowed, the return to the pitch will be a definite morale booster for soccer starved aficionados. It will also be a magnificent de facto way of satisfying our curiosity on how the teams will be coming back both physically and psychologically.
Particularly interesting will be the way the team which was leading the table, Cruz Azul, runs onto the pitch. They did a great job in general early last season but how badly was their momentum damaged? As I mentioned previously, the psychological weight will be more imposing than the physical. Their need to show that last season was not a fluke will definitely be foremost on their minds.
The Copa por Mexico will also be a magnificent dress rehearsal for the Liga MX. All Coronavirus previsions will be put into place, from the use of social distancing, aka Susana Distancia, amongst players and others on the field to player shuttling and locker room protocols. It is going to be quite an interesting ride.
El Rebaño’s calendar will be as follows: Guadalajara vs Atlas, Saturday, July 4th (Independence Day) at 9 PM (CT). Guadalajara vs Tigres, Wednesday July 8th, again at 9 PM (CT). With a last round robin game Guadalajara vs Mazatlan FC, Saturday July 11th at 7 PM (CT).
I for one am sure our boys will come out swinging. They, probably more than we, are dying to get that ball rolling. What is the outcome going to be? I think in general it will be a great rehearsal for all those involved. Will we be wowed by the results? I think I’ll keep one hand in my pocket before making any statement. I just hope everything runs smoothly and all those involved come out uninjured.
Time to prepare the botana my ChivaHermanos y ChivaHermanas!!! Save a cold one for me!!!