Week 4 of the 2023 Clausura in Liga MX is in the books, and it had a bit of everything: a big, controversial transfer from Europe, a redemption arc for powerhouse club that had been off to a slow start, the first coach firing of the season, a new No. 1 on the table, and much more.
There's plenty to cover from the latest jornada (match week), so in case you missed anything, here are three talking points and a few additional observations from Week 4 of the Liga MX season.
- Liga MX standings | Liga MX coverage on ESPN Deportes
- Futbol Americas on ESPN+: Liga MX, MLS, USMNT, El Tri
Lainez the latest Mexico star to leave Europe for Liga MX with Tigres
While there isn't much to say about Tigres' 0-0 draw at home against Atletico San Luis over the weekend, there has been no lack of conversation regarding their latest addition: 22-year-old Mexican winger Diego Lainez. According to reports, Tigres have brought the player on loan from LaLiga's Real Betis, with an option to buy his contract for $7 million.
"I've known [Tigres president] Mauricio Culebro for a long time, the interest has always been there since I practically left for Europe and I'm very happy to have arrived," Lainez said Sunday, confirming rumors he was heading to the Liga MX team. Before his move to Tigres, he had been on loan with Braga in Portugal.
Diego Lainez is the latest Mexico national team star to leave Europe for Liga MX with his pending loan to Tigres UANL. Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe move has drawn praise from Tigres' fan base but questions from Mexico fans who wanted to see the young star stick around Europe. For those against transfer, they see Tigres as high spenders that either prevent promising domestic players from moving abroad or, as in the case of Lainez, bring them back to Liga MX in lieu of other opportunities.
However, Tigres were willing to take a chance on a player who has yet to establish himself as a consistent starter, and who couldn't earn a spot on Mexico's roster for the 2022 World Cup -- a chance European clubs may have been hesitant to take. Backed by the big wallet of construction giant and club owner Cemex, Tigres are reportedly looking to spend as much as $7 million for his contract, an eye-catching figure in line with what has become the norm in an inflated transfer market in Mexico for domestic players.
In defense of the Tigres -- and other Liga MX teams with deep pockets that make similar decisions -- moves like the one for Lainez strengthen Mexico's top flight. Critics often forget or ignore that the Nuevo Leon-based club's big moves have helped grow Liga MX's recognition on the global stage as finalists in the 2015 Copa Libertadores and as runners-up in the 2020 Club World Cup. In that Club World Cup, it shouldn't be overlooked that Tigres put up a fight and narrowly lost 1-0 to UEFA Champions League winners Bayern Munich.
That said, it's still understandable that some are frustrated by the side effects of Liga MX's transfer market, which keeps Mexican talent in Mexico instead of reaching another level in Europe.
Club America rebound with 6-goal romp, Mazatlan fire first coach of season
What crisis?
As is regularly the case in Mexican soccer, fans and media have a penchant for bringing up the word "crisis" when a high-profile team struggles after only a few games. This year, rumblings of possible trouble for Club America emerged when the 13-time champions went winless in their first three matches of the Clausura.
By the end of the Saturday game against last-place Mazatlan, however, such proclamations of a crisis looked unfounded. In response to these worries, Club America scored a handful of goals at home at the Estadio Azteca, finishing with a dominant 6-0 victory that was resounding enough to lead to the firing of Mazatlan manager Gabriel Caballero. Coming just four weeks into the Clausura, Caballero's firing is the first of the season.
Carried by a hat trick by Mexican national team striker Henry Martin, Las Aguilas recorded their biggest Liga MX win since their 7-0 thrashing of Cruz Azul last August.
¡Gooooooooooool del @clubamerica!