Atlas' Goalkeeper Academy Dried Up in Recent Years

The goalkeeper academy of Atlas, the birthplace of figures like Oswaldo Sánchez and Jesús Corona, has dried up in recent years, and 2007 was the last time a goalkeeper emerged from their ranks and established himself in the rojinegra goal.

Miguel Fuentes, Armando Navarrete, and Erubey Cabuto were part of that generation of goalkeepers, but since then, the club has gotten used to signing players from outside without achieving the desired results.

"At one point, we had a great goalkeeping coach, Mr. Raúl Morales. Unfortunately, his work was abruptly interrupted at the club, and since then, Atlas has stopped producing goalkeepers," lamented Cabuto, who started in the final of the Verano 99 against Toluca.

"At that time, he knew how to guide us, teach us, and correct our mistakes, and in the end, we became what we were back then."

In recent months, the Zorros have suffered from the injuries of Argentine Óscar Ustari, leading to Miguel Fraga finishing the tournament in goal.

Before them, there were Chilean Miguel Pinto, Argentines Federico Vilar and Mariano Barbosa, and Uruguayan Jorge Bava. On the other hand, the academy players who had chances but did not establish themselves were Alan López, Pedro Hernández, and José Canales.

"Today we talk about Chuy Corona, Oswaldo Sánchez, who had or are having quite a prolific career. Unfortunately, that streak was cut off. I don't know who is currently training the goalkeepers," mentioned Cabuto.

Several coaches who have arrived at the team have given different reasons for not giving opportunities to the academy players. The justification has been that, as they were struggling with relegation, they needed more experienced goalkeepers.

Currently, Alejandro Gallardo, a product of the Atlas academy, is working with the young goalkeepers, but he is already 29 years old.

"I would have liked to see someone who learned from Coach Morales be part of Atlas' ranks, from the youth teams, and teach these young players what it really means to work under the three posts, but it is truly disappointing," added Cabuto.