Transfer News

It is seeming more and more that the Pumas team will have a different look about it next season. Notwithstanding Mario Trejo´s declarations about "Mexicanising" the first team, the changes have come thick and fast this week.

Firstly it was confirmed that Ignacio Scocco is to leave to join AEK Athens for a fee of around 1.5 million euros. While Pumas were keen for him to stay, the player clearly had ambitions to play in Europe, and it is the right move for the University club to allow players to move on when the opportunity presents itself. This will encourage more young players to come to Pumas.

Scocco Record with Pumas (2006-2008), played 74, scored 28, although curiously he only played 21 full games.

Eseban Solari, the other half of the Argentinian striking partnership also announced he would be leaving to play for Spanish club Almeria, who finished eighth in Spain last season. It is a big step up for quite a one-dimensional player, but nevertheless it is a great opportunity and you have to wish him well.

Solari's Pumas record (2007-2008), played 40 (all full games), scored 25.

Losing two strikers in the space of a week left Pumas with problems up front, but they were very quick to pouch a replacement to be a likely partner for Paco Palencia when the new season starts. The signing of Juan Carlos Cacho (picture) from Pachuca is a decent move: the player was an important part of the succesful Pachuca team of 2007 scoring three goals against America in the final of Clausura 2007, and 19 over the year, also earning a call-up to the national side. In recent times Pachuca have relied more on Luis Gabriel Rey (who ironically has also been transferred to Atlante) and recently signed Bruno Marioni, so maybe he was looking for more opportunities.

I still think that Pumas need to contract another striker for the new season, as well as clinching a deal on Sambueza, particularly as Chivas have made a move for Pablo Barrera, who has said he would like to move to the Guadalajara club. Meanwhile there is no news on Israel Castro; if he were to go then presumably Jehu Chiapas or Efrain Juarez would step up.

The fixtures are now out for the new season, and Pumas open their campaign against Necaxa in CU on 27th July, followed by a trip to champions Santos the following week.

Elsewhere in Mexico

The Mexican National team stumbled to an unconvincing 2-0 win against Belize in the first half of their World Cup qualifier in Houston. Carlos Vela grabbed the first bundling in the rebound from a Luis Perez free kick, while Borgetti added the second late on from the penalty spot. The midfield still needs a rethink, with both Perez and Sinha being too small to be partnered in the middle, while Torrado is clearly past his best. Fernando Arce, however seems to have cemented his place after a couple of decent displays in the last two games.

Next Up

The return leg Mexico-Belize will be played in Monterrey on Saturday evening.