Re-building América

Data from Wyscout, FBRef, Golstats and Fotmob, photo from Goal.com.

In this series of articles, I’m analyzing the current situation of a few teams, their squads, and profiles that they should be looking at to improve in the future. The fourth team is Club América.

This article/series is inspired by articles from https://www.thetransferflow.com/

Re-building Pumas: https://cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-building-pumas-d0dc

Re-building Tigres: https://cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-building-tigres-1331

Re-building León: https://cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-building-le-n-3400

The situation

The winning streak is over. After three consecutive league titles, América’s season ended in three disappointing defeats in three away matches. Cruz Azul knocked Las Águilas out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Toluca won the Liga MX final, whilst LAFC secured the final Club World Cup place. Given the high expectations of major clubs in modern football, the season would be considered a failure, although América have still maintained high levels of performance throughout the campaign.

André Jardine’s play style is well established by now. América build-up attacks with more patience, with good ball retention, but also have the ability to exploit attacking transitions. Out of possession, the team can choose moments to press, but are generally a less intense team in the defensive phase, that defend effectively around their box.

Jardine also has his methods of planning key, two-legged matches. In six of their previous seven first-legs, América haven’t scored a single goal, but they’ve always limited their opponents to a maximum of one goal. Jardine reduces the number of chances, for and against, and relies on his side’s ability to finish the job in the second-leg.

The problem this season is that Las Águilas haven’t created enough in their second-legs, although the impact of short-term variance must also be mentioned. In their winning streak, América were able to earn better results than their underlying numbers in various second-legs, and it isn’t surprising to see that they haven’t been able to maintain this trend.

Analysis of key second-legs under Jardine. Better result than the underlying numbers. Worse result than the underlying numbers.

Goalkeepers: A disappointing season from Malagón

2024-25 was not a strong season from Luis Malagón. Mexico’s number one conceded 0.12 goals more, per 90 minutes, than would be expected from an average keeper, according to the post-shot xG model.

Post-shot xG or xG on target measures goal probability after a shot has been attempted. The metric takes into account the original xG (of the opportunity) and concepts such as a direction of the shot. An off-target shot would have an xG post-shot of 0, as there’s no chance of scoring. A shot towards a corner of the goal would have a higher xG post-shot.

Whilst Malagón has produced better shot-stopping performances in the past, the issue is that he doesn’t offer any other strengths to América. He’s not great in build-up, doesn’t frequently come off his line to cut-out crosses or sweep behind the defensive line, and he isn’t even that tall.

Luis Malagón analysis in Liga MX 2024-25

Malagón is 28, and it’s crucial that he develops his overall game and adds other strengths in the near future. Shot-stopping performances tend to fluctuate, and in a down year, Malagón is a major weakness for a side that are trying to compete for titles. Alternatively, América need to think about creating more internal competition, with a view to replacing Malagón.

Center-backs: Will Lichnovsky return?

América have built their center-back partnerships based on a combination of a more aggressive defender, Sebastián Cáceres…

…and a more zonal defender, with a strong aerial game, like Igor Lichnovsky…

…or Ramón Juárez.

24-year-old Juárez still needs to improve in his defensive duels, and his on ball quality, so there is a chance that Lichnovsky could return after a year out injured. América would have to find a foreign player spot for the Chilean though, and he may not return to the same level given his age.

Israel Reyes is the other main option, and he’s their strongest center-back in build-up. However, Reyes isn’t aggressive like Cáceres or effective in the air like Lichnovsky or Juárez, and is probably best suited to a defensive right-back/outside center-back role. Whilst Reyes is a useful player in the squad, he probably isn’t a starter.

Full-backs: Sell Chicote and give Orquin his minutes

Club América have solid options on both sides, and therefore it isn’t an important position to strengthen. On the left, the two Cristians; Calderón and Borja, are well-rounded and offer tactical balance to the team. Both can play as more defensive full-backs and create a back-three in build-up, and both can overlap out wide. However, Calderón doesn’t stand-out statistically and Borja is now post-peak age.

Ralph Orquín, who’s back after three seasons with FC Juárez, has also been used in the defensive full-back/third center-back role under Martín Varini, and at just 22 years old, should take Chicote’s minutes. América can look to sell Calderón, and work on Urquín’s development, for example, improving his arrivals in attack.

América should also look to replicate Orquín’s development with young Franco Rossano, by exploring a loan move/sell with buy-back option.

On the right, América have two attacking options. Dagoberto Espinosa has made a good impression in his first Liga MX minutes, and could be a key player if he can develop his final pass and attacking creativity. Kevin Álvarez also needs to up his attacking output next season, after a drop during 2024-25.

Midfielders: Should América boost the squad with another interior midfielder?

Jardine adjusted his midfield during Clausura 2025. The Brazilian had originally used a double-pivot, in a 4-2-3-1 with Diego Valdés the “number ten”, or a 3-4-3, but changed to a 4-3-3 this season. The system got the best out of Álvaro Fidalgo, who added goals to his outstanding ball progression, and Érick Sánchez.

Jonathan dos Santos, like many other holding midfielders, has maintained his level despite reaching 35 years old. He should continue as the starter for now.

Alan Cervantes is a significant downgrade, but his physical profile helps him to be a useful squad member. Cervantes consistently covers high distances during matches and doesn’t often pick up injuries.

Another option to play as the interior midfielder and sub on for/give a rest to Fidalgo or Sánchez seems a wise addition to the squad, unless Jardine wants to use Alejandro Zendejas in this role. There are a variety of options for América to look at.

The long-term investment

Alán Bautista, 22 is one of Pachuca’s most interesting talents, but is perhaps yet to find his best role. In Guillermo Almada’s 4-2-3-1, Bautista was used as the number ten, where he perhaps didn’t have quite enough impact, or as a deeper midfielder, which took away his ability to attack the box. The interior midfielder role in Jardine’s 4-3-3 seems to suit Bautista better, considering the requirement to make runs into the box and score goals. Bautista scored five times in Clausura 2024, with all of his goals coming from inside the box.

The creative option

With Fidalgo, América have the best ball progresser in Liga MX. However, if Las Águilas want another route of consistent progression (better than Sánchez) and creation, Tijuana’s Kevin Castañeda is a possible solution. There are doubts surrounding his defensive work and positioning (he prefers to move towards the left, Fidalgo’s zone), but Castañeda is only 25 and therefore has many peak years ahead of him.

América would have to work on Castañeda’s decision making though. The Mexican gives away valuable possession with poor decisions at times, shooting too often from distance.

The possible star

Buying ex-Real Madrid Castilla players from La Liga 2 has worked in the past for América, and there’s an option that played at an impressive level during 2024-25. On loan from Toulouse, César Gelabert exploded in his final nine games with Sporting Gijón, with five goals and two assists.

Similar to Érick Sánchez, Gelabert isn’t overly involved in the build-up of attacks, but makes key contributions in the final third. It wouldn’t be easy to attract him to Mexico, but América can be confident of Gelabert replicating similar performances in Liga MX, given the level of Spain’s second tier.

The left-footed option

There’s a potential benefit of having a left footer to play in the right interior midfielder role. This profile can open effective passing angles from the half-space, for example, creating the possibility of playing dangerous passes towards the far-post that curl towards goal.

Brandon Aguilera, a 21 year old from Costa Rica, had his first significant minutes in Europe this season with Rio Ave in Portugal. Playing as an interior midfielder, or in a deeper role, Aguilera has impressive numbers for a member of a mid-table side. He would have to develop his ability to crash the box with América, but Aguilera may improve his impact in build-up if he were to play in a higher possession side (Rio Ave averaged below 48% during 2024-25).

Attacking midfielders/Wingers: One or two signings are required

The position that’s likely to see most change this summer. Javairo Dilrosun will leave, and Diego Valdés is likely to follow him out of América, whilst rumours regarding the future of Brian Rodríguez persist.

A profile to replace Valdés doesn’t seem necessary, given the system change, but América will need to find one or two new wide attackers. Brian has been a critical part of their effective left-sided attacks and his absence during liguilla and against LAFC was a factor in América’s defeats. Las Águilas don’t have anyone who can replace his output on the left-wing.

América built-up more attacks and created more from their left side during Clausura 2025.

A direct replacement will be required if Brian is to leave, but I would still look to find someone that can fill in for the Uruguayan, whilst also having the flexibility to play from the right. This seems possible given the different roles that América’s wide attackers occupy. On the left, Brian holds more width, whilst Alejandro Zendejas tends to drift inside from the right. Left-footed wingers can show the tendency of playing wider when positioned on the left, but moving inside when starting from the right.

The direct replacement for Brian

Jaminton Campaz was born just four days after Brian, and his play style is rather similar. More of a number ten or inverted winger from the right during his time in Colombia, Campaz has been converted with Rosario Central. Campaz plays from the left-wing, creating width and penetration, with frequent box entries before shooting or looking for a cut-back, like Brian Rodríguez.

The only doubt regards his age profile. At 25, Campaz isn’t old, but, on average, Liga MX wingers start to see a drop in their output after 25. This is especially true if the winger is reliant on ball carrying, dribbles and explosiveness in order to create opportunities.

The direct replacement for Zendejas

If América want to bring competition for Zendejas, or create the possibility for the Mexican-American to play as an interior midfielder, there’s a great option in La Liga 2. In his first season at the level, Álex Calatrava averaged 0.58 xG + xA per game, in more than 2,000 minutes played. Starting more from the right, but at times playing in a central role, Calatrava is left-footed, and operates effectively from the right-half-space. His output this season was superb.

Options to cover both roles

Santiago Montiel, 24, is an Argentine winger for Independiente. Left-footed, Montiel has played on either wing, with the tendency to stick wider on the left and drift inside from the right.

His output is similar to that of Zendejas, given his well-rounded profile. He does need to improve his attacking decision making, with too many shots from range, but he’s a great option to cover both roles.

Luca Orellano, 25, has been used on both wings during his time with FC Cincinatti. Orellano shows the same positional tendencies as Montiel and has been one of the most productive wide players in MLS during recent seasons. However, a big investment would be required, considering his performances and contract, which runs until 2029.

Julián Fernández, just 21 years old, is a younger option from MLS. The NYCFC winger also wouldn’t come cheap, and doesn’t have as many minutes playing from the left, but could still develop in the coming years.

John Mercado, 23, could be a cheaper option. The Ecuadorian was a source of creativity for AVS in Portugal this season, playing on both flanks. He would have to become more involved in attacks with América, but it’s important to consider that AVS averaged just 43.6% possession this campaign, a contributing factor in Mercado’s lack of touches.

The young option

Lucas Ronier, 20, is ready step-up from Serie B in Brazil. With more minutes on the right than the left, Ronier tends to stay wider than Zendejas, but is still capable of inverting onto his stronger left-foot. He stands-out for his defensive work, but is a very well-rounded attacking player.

Strikers: Dávila should start

Availability has been a problem for América’s number nines this season. Also, Henry Martín has passed his peak age and there are doubts regarding his ability to continue scoring goals frequently.

Martín has always prioritized shot quality, rather than quantity, and the vast majority of his shots come from inside the box. However, Henry only averaged 1.5 shots per game during 2024-25, and couldn’t get a shot off in either leg of the final against Toluca.

Henry still offers key strengths to América’s attack. He’s a creative striker, and effective in the air and out of possession. Also, it’s possible that Henry can work in Jardine’s system, given that the midfielders can make up for his lack of goals.

However, Henry taking a bench role with Víctor Dávila the starter makes most sense to me. Dávila didn’t appear a necessary signing when he returned to Mexico, but the Chilean has shown his value in a center-forward role, and has been more effective in this position than when moved out wide. He has a lot of concepts in common with Henry; he starts the press well, connects attacks by dropping-in and creates chances for teammates. Also, like Henry, Dávila tends to drift towards the left, where América build-up more attacks from.

In this moment of their careers, Dávila is also a more reliable goal-scorer than Henry.

Rodrigo Aguirre offers a different type of striker, when he isn’t injured, and can also play in a front-two with Henry/Dávila. Aguirre isn’t as effective at connecting attacks, but has good movement in-behind defenses and can find space to get shots off frequently.

Esteban Lozano is a good prospect that needs professional minutes. América should look for a loan/sale with a buy-back option.

Summary:

• Sell Chicote Calderón and give his minutes to Ralph Orquín.

• Strengthen the squad with another interior midfielder, which could be Mexican to allow América to register Igor Lichnovsky.

• Look for a wide attacker that can fill-in for both Brian Rodríguez and Alejandro Zendejas, covering for injury and offering a good option off the bench.

• A high-output left winger will be needed if Brian leaves.

Thank you for reading, if you’d like to contact me regarding any questions, comments or to consult my services, you can contact me on:

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/tomh36.bsky.social

• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-harrison-a682a2175/

• Twitter/X - https://x.com/tomh_36

También, se puede leer este artículo en Español- https://cambiodejuego.beehiiv.com/