A 3–1 defeat at home against their classic rival Chivas in the semi-finals of the Clausura tournament in Mexico precipitated the resignation of Fernando Ortiz.
The Argentine coach announced his departure from the club at the end of the match at the Azteca Stadium, and after three tournaments in which he reached the quarter-finals and then lost in the semi-finals against Toluca and now Guadalajara. The club extended the title drought for the Apertura 2018.
Captain and striker Henry Martin said, “I didn’t know I found out from you (the press), I don’t know what to say because I didn’t expect it.” “We know the fans are hurt and we are too, what just happened is shameful, we have to analyze and see what happens next.”
Ortiz was the coach of the Americas U20 team when he took over following the departure of compatriot Santiago Solari, who left the team in last place in the Clausura 2022.
“Taino” Ortiz turned that bad situation around and managed to qualify the team directly to the league, but Pachuca put the brakes on them in the quarterfinals. After reaching the general lead they were clearly outclassed by Toluca in the semi-finals of the last tournament.
They finished second during the regular stage of the current Clausura and lost again to Chivas, in a game that seemed controlled before the expulsion of Spanish midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo.
“I’m number one responsible for the elimination. I’ve never been tackled like that, I didn’t even dare look my teammates in the face,” Fidalgo said. “This club changed my life and I threw everything away. I don’t know how you can get anything positive out of this. Apologies are useless.”
In addition to finding a new coach, America’s leadership will have to reconsider strengthening various positions, especially in the defense area, which was a weak point throughout the tournament and evident in the league.
Wingers Luis Fuentes and Miguel Leyun are 36 and 34, respectively. Fuentes terminated his contract and has six months to go to León.
Another player who is nearing the end of his contract and who may have played his last minutes with Águilas is Colombian striker Roger Martínez, who only played a few minutes in the Clausura.
Uruguay striker Federico Venus produced little – just one goal in 10 games – but he has one year left on his contract and the US must find an accommodation for him if it wants to access overseas space.
“I don’t know what will happen (with the team), what happened is that we finished and now it’s time to analyze the situation and see what happens next,” said Martín, who is the team’s scoring champion. and was the leader in assists.
America’s next official match will be on July 27 when they face MLS St. Louis for the League Cup.
