América's Defense Finds Stability with Bruno Valdez

There was a moment in the Clausura 2017 when América was left hampered, losing players so frequently that it surpassed the label of a bad streak, one after another the azulcrema soldiers were falling, the battles left physical wounds that in some cases are still healing.

In defense, many things had to be fixed, it was a part of the field where improvisation was necessary and the players had to rely on luck and their character to overcome the challenges.

Paolo Goltz suffered an injury in the Copa MX round of 16 match against Tijuana. He hasn't played since March 8. Then, Pablo Aguilar got suspended and he still has two games left on his suspension. Around the same time, Miguel Samudio also suffered an injury that took him out of the starting lineup. On top of that, Paul Aguilar was still not cleared by medical staff. The defense was breaking down.

Then Bruno Valdez appeared to bring some calmness, the Paraguayan defender returned to his natural habitat and became the leader of the defense. Ricardo La Volpe entrusted him to command from the back, Bruno knew how to do it because he feels his best in the center of the defense. As a leader, he took on the requests from the coaching staff who asked him to cover the right back position, and even played as a left back, although he didn't feel comfortable in that role.

It seems that there won't be more of that, Bruno will continue in the center of the defense. Miguel Herrera's idea of playing with a backline of four defenders will increase the competition for a starting spot considerably, as El Piojo has three natural center-backs for those positions: Bruno, Paolo Goltz, and Pablo Aguilar.

"It's going to be a tough competition because Pablo and Paolo are great players, it motivates you to work twice as hard, to be there and the coach will decide who is ready to play."

The Paraguayan defender hopes to continue growing as a Yellow player and start winning titles with Coapa in the Apertura 2017. "It's a new tournament, the past is behind us, obviously as a team we were left with a bitter taste of not being able to qualify for the Liguilla, but we've moved on and now we're focusing on the upcoming tournament; we're preparing to achieve the goals we set for ourselves."

After establishing himself in the defense, Bruno points out that it was a good tournament, but he doesn't evaluate if it was his best version because his goals are even higher: "I don't know if it was my best version, but I really enjoyed the moment I was living, because it's the position where I feel most comfortable and it shows, but one always wants to improve and aim for great things, so I will try to make double effort to become a recognized player in this club and institution," he comments.

However, beyond the competition, the Paraguayan hopes that this tournament will be different for América and that his teammates enjoy good health because the team will have a higher level, but also because it's always tough to see a teammate out of action due to an injury. "It was a pity what happened to the teammates, because no one likes to be out with an injury, to be on the sidelines, but that's in the past and mentally we have recovered and hope there won't be many injuries."

On a personal level, Bruno values his time at América positively, approaching a year at Coapa, he came within seconds of winning the title in December, but it couldn't be and it left a bitter taste, but he is convinced that the team has the weapons to fight for the crown in the next season.

"In my first six months, I was in a Final and I was playing as well. Now I'm going through a preseason after a long time and that helps the body feel better, one always works to show that they are prepared for the position they are needed in and I will keep looking for goals. We set ourselves an objective and hearing others say they are willing to achieve it motivates me; so as a team, we are in a good place, we are very strong and that will help us move forward."