A Tournament to Play, a Semester at Stake for the Big Teams

Another tournament to dispute, another semester in which the title and prestige of most of those involved in the Apertura 2017 are at stake, but above all, the so-called big teams.

Chivas, Pumas, America, and Cruz Azul will have, like every six months, the task of winning and convincing, and now gradually, also consolidating some prospects who seem ready to assume different roles within these institutions.

KEVIN MAGAÑA-19 YEARS OLD

Chivas bets on the speed of this left winger, an agile midfielder who can perform well both on the wing and behind the number nine as an attacking midfielder. Kevin is left-footed, a complicated profile, but one that serves any tactical scheme and especially in attack.

He has been a regular in youth national teams, having already participated in the previous U-17 and U-20 World Cups. Matías Almeyda included him in the preseason, with the aim of giving him more playing time.

BRIAN FIGUEROA-18 YEARS OLD

Assuming the role of center forward, not only in Pumas but in any team, is challenging for a outstanding prospect who has just taken his first steps in professional football. This will be a test that Brian Figueroa will have to face in his first semester in the main squad of Universidad Nacional, as he will have immediate competition from Chilean Nicolás Castillo to try to take advantage of the few minutes the Chilean gives him. Heading ability and powerful long-range shot are his main qualities.

DIEGO LAINEZ-17 YEARS OLD

Just a few months ago, Ricardo La Volpe sent a young boy with a childlike face and frail physique onto the field at the Estadio Leon. In just a couple of minutes, with two dribbles, he made it clear that his skills were different from the rest. We're talking about Diego Lainez.

He is the biggest prospect of Club America and now, with several spotlights on him, he will try to take on more responsibilities, to show that while he can't carry the entire bluecrema offensive, he can be a game-changer in Miguel Herrera's team, an element that provides outlet and depth.

SANTIAGO GIMÉNEZ-16 YEARS OLD

Comparisons with his father are inevitable. Santiago Giménez is destined to be a figure for Cruz Azul, just like his father, even though his quality has yet to be discovered.

He plays as a center forward, and for the second consecutive preseason, Paco Jémez, the coach of La Máquina, included him in the first team for preseason training with the main squad. Although he was not registered in the top flight roster, it is clear that the Spanish strategist is closely following his steps to incorporate him, sooner or later, into the demands of the national First Division.