A 2-0 loss to Leon ended Ignacio Ambriz’s tumultuous tenure in Club America, and now las Aguilas must face los Rayos de Necaxa on the road Tuesday night at the Estadio Victoria.
Ambriz’s firing didn’t come as much of a surprise. Throughout the 2016 Clausura, Ambriz has led the team to mixed results, and with a 3-0 defeat to Chivas in America’s centennial season, the demands of America’s fans gain ferocity. During America’s game versus Leon, fans began chant “Fuera Ambriz,” and just a few hours removed from the result, Ambriz announced his departure.
Ambriz’s departure leaves the team in a directional limbo until America’s front office hires a replacement who can deliver on the club’s expectations of glory in its centennial season. America’s immediate objective, however, places its attention on defeating the newly promoted Necaxa.
Aside from their comeback victory over Cruz Azul, America has struggled to involve its cast of highly touted acquisitions. Throughout its last eight games, America hasn’t found a way to involve Renato Ibarra, Silvio Romero, Oribe Peralta or Darwin Quintero. The lack of coordination in its offense has stamped the team with a negative goal differential, and without a permanent coach at the helm, las Aguilas have an uncertain outlook on how the team may function on the field versus Necaxa. Though it has 11 points, three less than America, Necaxa has found ways to hold down its opponents and match them offensively.
On the road, America has achieved more success than at home, another reason Ambriz came under scrutiny. Of its three away matches, America came away with two victories and one draw, while Necaxa have earned one victory and three draws at home.
With Ambriz out in Coapa and the season heading into the second half, there is no longer a margin of error. The team’s quest to return to prominence starts against los Rayos.
Match date/time: Tuesday 10pm EST, 9pm local
Venue: Estadio Victoria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
TV: Unimas (US – Spanish), Canal 5 (Mexico), TDN (Mexico)
Streaming: fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)
Listings via LiveSoccerTV.com.