Marlene Santos Alejo: Summary of the day

▲ Javier Aquino (left), who has been with the UANL for 10 years, complained that the Leagues Cup has never been fair because MLS teams have never played in Mexico. Photo @javieraquino7

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despite the fact that footballers, While coaches and managers are prohibited from criticizing the Leagues Cup , expressions against the tournament are emerging in dribs and drabs. It was conceived out of the greed of the leaders – both from the MLS (the league of the neighboring country to the north) and the Mexican Football Federation – who shoehorned it into the calendar. Antonio Mohamed, manager of Toluca, protested the poor condition of the pitches, and Javier Aquino, player of Tigres, emphasized that it is unfair, because only the American teams are the hosts: “It has never been equitable ,” said the Oaxacan… Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano criticized the designation of a Mexican referee in their game against Necaxa… and that is despite the fact that his team is usually the one favored because it has Messi.

The circus of this tournament includes a rule change. Eager to guarantee an American-style spectacle, with a winner and a flurry of goals, they decided that if the score remains tied after the regulation 90 minutes, penalties would be awarded, awarding the winner not three points, but two (send your proposed amendment to FIFA and watch the European leagues double over in laughter). Likewise, in other editions, some players have been injured due to poor pitch conditions, and today, resentment prevails. There are also various inconveniences, such as long waits at airports that exasperate players accustomed to pampering. This was the case for Tigres, who were stranded in Houston.

Foresighted, the MLS and the FMF imposed a gag rule : dissent or criticism of the tournament is prohibited, under penalty of punishment, a fine that can reach $50,000. Of course, the organizing geniuses were always aware that the Leagues Cup could only generate discontent and anger among those involved, but business rules. The objective here isn't for Mexican soccer to progress by facing a superior opponent, as it did when it participated in the Copa Libertadores; it's, plain and simple, about making money. However, the leaders may monitor their members, but not the fans; the stadiums are half-full, and the attendance rates aren't what they expected.

And they can't control the anonymous thugs who hurl insults and serious threats on social media, like those directed at referee Katia Itzel, who had a controversial performance in the Rayados-Cincinnati match. Most referees make mistakes, not to mention the VAR. Furthermore, Monterrey and the Leagues Cup don't mix; they're like water and oil. They've suffered several injuries on those fields: Germán Berterame, Rodrigo Aguirre, Sergio Canales... The Nuevo León team had a poor performance on Thursday against the Ohio team, oozing apathy and disinterest. To top it all off, their coach Domenec Torrent is under scrutiny, having been fined last season with Atlético San Luis for questioning the home team's advantage.

What is the silent and poorly disguised way of protesting for the oppressed?... Exactly: they take to the field, pretend to run, pretend to defend, and pretend to attack, in order to be eliminated as quickly as possible, pack their bags, and return home. Atlas, Querétaro, and León are just a step away from their return. After their failure in the Club World Cup, the Yellows have been read the riot act. Emilio Azcárraga Jean knows his team is one of the most popular and that a large part of the tournament's success depends on América, so he demands that they reach the highest levels. In the meantime, he finalizes the signing of Frenchman Allan Saint-Maximin.

There's a lot of stench and backstory behind the Seattle Sounders' 7-0 thrashing of Cruz Azul. Hours before the match, the contract of Giorgos Giakoumakis, an unproductive player who is being paid a fortune, was revealed, which would have generated anger and discontent in the locker room. The Greek striker is an acquisition by sporting director Iván Alonso, who was fired from Pachuca after discovering he was taking a juicy cut, a kickback, or commission from the acquisition of reinforcements. Did Víctor Velázquez, president of the cement-based team, know about it...? If he didn't know, too bad! But if he does—which is most likely, since he supports him—then long live the party! It turned out the same as Billy Álvarez! Another scratch on the Liga MX tiger who criticizes the Expansión team so much, but is its true reflection.