Tag Archives: Liga MX

Real Madrid Legend Sergio Ramos Signs with Club de Futbol Monterrey

Posted on by
Reply

Sergio Ramos is heading to North America…

The 38-year-old Spanish professional footballer, a Spain and Real Madrid legend, has signed with Monterrey, the Liga MX club has announced.

Sergio Ramos“The number 93 is ready to defend the blue and white jersey,” Monterrey said alongside a video on their social media account.

“A historic defender in world football, multiple champion with Real Madrid and PSG and World Cup champion with Spain. Welcome to Club de Futbol Monterrey. Your leadership, quality, and winning mentality will take the Blue and White to great heights,” the team said in a statement.

Ramos, a 2010 World Cup winner with Spain and two-time European Champion with Real Madrid, had been without a team since his contract with Sevilla expired last summer.

He had rejoined his boyhood club from Paris Saint-Germain a year earlier.

Monterrey is looking to strengthen its defensive line after losing Carlos Salcedo to an ACL injury earlier this month.

Ramos spent 16 years at Real Madrid — after coming through Sevilla’s academy — captaining the club and winning four Champions Leagues and five LaLiga trophies.

James Rodríguez Signs with Liga MX’s Leon Club

Posted on by
Reply

James Rodríguez is heading to Liga MX. 

The 33-year-old Colombian professional footballer and Colombia  has signed with Liga MX‘s León, the Mexican club has announced.

James Rodríguez Recently a free agent after terminating his contract with Rayo Vallecano — who initially signed James in August — he will now join a León side that kicks off their 2025 Clausura run on January 18. 

“Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and Club Leon of Mexico have reached an agreement for the transfer of James Rodriguez,” the Spanish club said in a statement.

They did not give any details of the deal.

“From the club, we wish James the best of luck in his new stage,” the club added.

Eight-times Mexican champions León posted several images of Rodriguez on their social media accounts, but also did not give any details of the deal.

In June, León will then take part in the Club World Cup, beginning with group stage matches against Chelsea, Esperance de Tunis and Flamengo.

Rodriguez’s move to Mexico marks his sixth team since 2021 after playing for Rayo Vallecano, São Paulo, Olympiacos, Al-Rayyan, and Everton in recent years.

Earlier in his career, the Golden Boot winner at the 2014 World Cup was noted for high-profile runs through the likes of European giants such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The midfielder has also played for Envigado, Banfield, Porto, and Monaco.

With Colombia, Rodriguez has amassed 29 goals across 112 caps, including a successful run at last summer’s Copa América where his team lost to Argentina in the final.

 

Pumas UNAM In Talks to Acquire Adalberto Carrasquilla from Houston Dynamo FC 

Posted on by
Reply

Adalberto Carrasquilla may be switching sides and countries…

Liga MX side Pumas UNAM is in discussions with MLS’ Houston Dynamo FC regarding the possible acquisition of the 26-year-old Panamanian professional footballer, per ESPN sources.

Adalberto CarrasquillaAn ESPN source with direct knowledge of the talks says “there is still a ways to go” in terms of getting a deal completed. 

Carrasquilla has been with Houston for parts of four seasons, having initially impressed while on loan in 2021. He has since become a mainstay in manager Ben Olsen‘s squad, and was part of the Dynamo’s successful run to the 2023 U.S. Open Cup title. Carrasquilla’s time in Houston has seen him score 11 goals in 116 league and cup appearances.

The Panama City, Panama native began his professional career in his home country with Tauro FC in 2014. He spent two seasons in Spain with second-tier side FC Cartagena.

At the international level, Carrasquilla has represented Panama 63 times, scoring twice. He was part of the squad that eliminated the U.S. at last summer’s Copa América, though his red card against the USMNT meant he only made two appearances in the tournament.

Goal.com was among the outlets to first report Pumas’ interest.

Pumas, fresh off a quarterfinal finish in the 2024 Apertura, start the 2025 Clausura on January 12 against Necaxa.

San Jose Earthquakes Agree to Transfer Emmanuel Ochoa to Liga MX’s Cruz Azul

Posted on by
Reply

Emmanuel Ochoa is heading south of the U.S./Mexico border…

The San Jose Earthquakes have agreed to terms with Cruz Azul to transfer the 19-year-old Mexican American professional soccer player and goalkeeper to the Liga MX side.

Emmanuel OchoaThe Quakes will receive a fee of $2 million plus a percentage of any future transfer, per ESPN sources.

Ochoa is a product of San Jose’s academy, having signed a homegrown contract with the club as a 14-year-old back in 2019. At the time he was touted as the second-youngest player ever to sign a deal with a Major League Soccer (MLS) club.

The Mexico U20 international made one appearance with the Quakes’ first team in a 2024 U.S. Open Cup match, but never appeared in a league match, despite being on the bench as an unused substitute 19 times.

He made a total of 48 appearances with The Town, San Jose’s reserve team, in MLS Next Pro.

The Quakes’ starting goalkeeper spot is currently in possession of Daniel, who’s entering his third season in San Jose. The Quakes recently acquired another goalkeeper, Earl Edwards, in a trade with the New England Revolution.

At international level, Ochoa has appeared for youth sides for both the United States and Mexico, but most recently has made two appearances for Mexico’s U20 team.

Lionel Messi Helps Inter Miami Break Major League Soccer Record for Most Points in Single Season

Posted on by
Reply

Lionel Messi has helped Inter Miami break a Major League Soccer record. 

The 37-year-old Argentine professional footballer scored a stunning 11-minute hat trick to his team break the MLS record for most points in a single season, after defeating the New England Revolution 6-2 on Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Lionel MessiMiami concluded the MLS regular season with 74 points in 34 games and a 22-4-8 (W-L-D) record, narrowly besting the Revolution’s 2021 mark of 73 points.

Luis Suárez propelled Inter Miami to rally from two goals down after 34 minutes, scoring twice in under four minutes to keep alive the chase for the points record.

Benjamin Cremaschi then put Miami ahead for the first time in the 58th minute.

But it was captain Messi who fittingly cemented Inter Miami’s name in league history when scoring the fourth, fifth and sixth goals.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner came off the bench in the 55th minute to make an instant impact with his first hat trick for Miami, in the process becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 33 goals.

Miami also became the first team in MLS history to have multiple players score at least 20 goals in a season.

With 20 goals apiece, Messi and Suárez are set to finish second in the Golden Boot race to D.C. United’s Christian Benteke. Messi, though, leads the league in total goal contributions with a combined 36 goals and assists in only 19 games.

“Our players are what has made this season successful,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said. “Our captain has led us. Our players have led us in times where it was difficult. But now, tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow, we prepare for Friday, the playoffs.”

It was a night of celebration for Miami. The team was awarded the 2024 Supporters’ Shield after the final whistle, having clinched the prize for best regular-season record in MLS for the first time earlier this month.

The trophy was Miami’s first piece of MLS silverware since debuting as an expansion club in 2020.

Inter Miami previously lifted the inaugural MLS vs. Liga MX Leagues Cup trophy soon after Messi’s arrival in the summer of 2023.

After Saturday’s win, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced Miami would take part in the 2025 Club World Cup and host the expanded 32-team tournament’s opening game at Hard Rock Stadium.

More immediately, Inter Miami will now have home-field advantage through the MLS playoffs. The team kicks off the postseason Friday against the winner of the Eastern Conference wild-card match between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.

“Let’s get ready for the playoffs,” Beckham said.

Inter Miami ThisClose to Signing Óscar Ustari 

Posted on by
Reply

Óscar Ustari is making plans to move to The Sunshine State…

Inter Miami is set to sign the 38-year-old Argentinian goalkeeper as a free agent, per ESPN sources.

Óscar Ustari Ustari last featured for Chilean first-division side Audax Italiano before being released from the roster midseason. Now, he’ll arrive in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a substitute for Inter Miami starting goalkeeper Drake Callender. 

Ustari started his career with Independiente, spending two seasons in the Argentine first division to inspire a move to LaLiga‘s Getafe in 2007. While abroad, the goalkeeper saw time with Almeria and then-Premier League team Sunderland.

He also featured for Liga MX teams Atlas and Pachuca, racking up 169 appearances in Mexico.

Internationally, Ustari formed part of former manager Jose Pekerman‘s Argentina roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and joined the Under-23 team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He’s managed two senior team appearances and three Olympic game appearances overall for Argentina.

Ustari is set to join a dominant Inter Miami team under head coach Gerardo Martino. The Herons lead the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings with 59 points in 27 games.

Inter Miami remains on course to break the league record for most points recorded during the regular season, a mark set by the New England Revolution when they hit 73 points in 2021.

Inter Miami returns to action after the international break on Saturday, September 14, with a home game against the Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium.

Eva Longoria Partners with “Welcome to Wrexham” Team on New FX & Disney+ Latin America Bilingual Sports Docuseries Following Mexico’s Club Necaxa

Posted on by
Reply

Eva Longoria is getting in the game…

The 49-year-old Mexican American actress, producer, director and business woman is steaming up with Welcome to Wrexham‘s Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds on a new FX and Disney+ Latin America bilingual sports documentary series following a new soccer club.

Eva LongoriaThe untitled project, currently referred to as Bienvenidos a Necaxa, follows Mexico’s Club Necaxa, who were relocated to Aguascalientes, a working-class city known as the “land of good people,” after struggling for several seasons in their original home in bustling Mexico City.

The Spanish/English language series will be led by club owner Longoria, who, alongside co-owners McElhenney and Reynolds, will help breathe new life into Los Rayos as they focus on reclaiming the team’s place as one of Mexico’s top.

Production is set to start soon, which makes sense given that Liga MX, the top professional soccer league in Mexico kicks off its season in July.

The show won’t, however, follow promotion and relegation, as Welcome to Wrexham does given that Liga MX has scrapped both until at least 2026 due to financial problems with lower league teams.

Welcome to Wrexham was a new concept for actors and producers McElhenney and Reynolds that not only boosted their profiles but also interest in the titular team and soccer all over the world, specifically in the U.S. where the sport isn’t as popular as in Europe and South America.

The FX series recently concluded its third season, which followed the team as they landed back-to-back promotions, having been promoted out of non-league to the fourth-tier league. The docuseries was recently renewed by the network for a fourth season, which will follow their journey in League One, which confusingly is the third tier of English soccer.

The new series is executive produced by Longoria, Cris Abrego, Rachelle Mendez, Nick Frenkel, Jackie Cohn, George Dewey, McElhenney, Reynolds and Alex Fumero.

Fumero will serve as showrunner for the series, which is produced by Hyphenate Media Group, More Better Productions, Maximum Effort Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment.

North Carolina FC’s Adrian Pelayo to Sign with Chivas

Posted on by
Reply

Adrian Pelayo is headed south of the border…

The 18-year-old Mexican soccer player and North Carolina FC defender is set to sign with Chivas, per ESPN sources.

Adrian Pelayo,The deal for Pelayo is almost complete, with paperwork to be finalized in the next few days.

Pelayo joins the Liga MX powerhouse from the USL Championship, playing with North Carolina FC since arriving as a free agent in 2023.

The defender previously formed part of the Portland Timbers academy, working with the MLS first team during training camp before the 2023 Major League Soccer season and the Timbers 2 MLS Next Pro team.

Internationally, Pelayo stands as a triple-nationality figure with eligibility to represent the United States, Argentina and Mexico. He has featured in both American and Mexican youth camps, but most recently represented El Tri in the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in November 2023.

The defender started the match against Germany, standing alongside Luis Navarrete, Javen Romero and Jose Suárez in the backline.

Pelayo will become the latest multiple-nationality figure to represent Chivas, following the footsteps of Mexican-American Cade Cowell.

The player will initially work with Chivas de Guadalajara‘s affiliate team C.D Tapatío in the Liga de Expansion before joining the senior team.

Portland Timbers Acquire Jonathan Rodríguez from Club America

Posted on by
Reply

Jonathan Rodríguez is headed to the Pacific Northwest.

The 30-year-old Uruguayan soccer player, known by his nickname Cabecita, will play for the Portland Timbers.

Jonathan RodríguezThe Portland team reached an agreement with Club América to acquire Rodriguez, who trained with Club América’s U-23 squad on Monday while finalizing a four-year designated player deal with the Timbers.

He’s expected to travel to Portland later this week.

According to sources, the clubs have had an agreement in place for a $6 million transfer fee for the Uruguayan striker since last Friday.

Rodríguez didn’t travel with the team to Guadalajara last week for the 3-0 victory over Chivas in the National Clasico — part of the Concacaf Champions Cup — and was not at América’s victory over Tigres UANL last Sunday.

The striker has been productive for América this season, scoring nine goals and adding three assists across all competitions. Before signing with ‘Aguilas‘, Rodríguez had previously played in Liga MX for Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul.

In 2022, Rodríguez moved to the Saudi Pro League to play with Al Nassr where he appeared in eight games and scored one goal in six months, before returning to Mexico.

Rodríguez, who debuted with the Uruguay national team in 2014, earned a call-up for his national team under manager Marcelo Bielsa in 2023 after a two-year absence that included the 2022 World Cup.

Andrés Guardado Signs with Liga MX’s León

Posted on by
Reply

Andrés Guardado is making his triumphant return to Mexico.

The 37-year-old Mexican professional footballer, a midfielder who retired from the national team in 2023 after a record-breaking 179 appearances for Mexico, has been signed by Liga MX’s León side.

Andrés GuardadoThe former Mexico captain and five-time World Cup participant is returning to Liga MX after last playing for boyhood club Atlas in 2007. 

After leaving Atlas, Guardado had a lengthy 17-year run in European club soccer that took him through Deportivo La Coruña, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, and most recently, Real Betis.

Guardado stands as the Mexican with the most seasons in European soccer and as the all-time non-domestic leader in appearances (218) with Real Betis.

“The Green and White Captain has been key in the sporting growth in recent years. With him, the team has qualified for European competitions four times and also won the Copa del Rey in 2022,” Real Betis said in a statement.

“The Club would like to effusively thank Guardado for his services and wish him all the best in the future.”

Under the guidance of new manager Jorge Bava, León kicked off the 2024 Clausura season on Wednesday with a 2-1 loss at home to Tigres.

Earlier in December, the 2023 Concacaf Champions League winners were knocked out in their debut match at the Club World Cup after a 1-0 loss to Urawa Red Diamonds.