Chivas Guadalajara: A Rollercoaster Ride in Clausura 2025
Chivas Guadalajara: A Rollercoaster Ride in Clausura 2025
Hey, ChivaHermanos! If you’re anything like me, you’ve been glued to every Chivas match this Clausura 2025 season, riding the highs and lows with the Rebaño Sagrado. As of today, March 2, 2025, there’s a lot to unpack—some thrilling wins, some gut-punching losses, and a coaching shake-up that’s got us all talking. Let’s dive into what’s been going down with Guadalajara lately and why I’m still holding onto hope for this squad.
On the Pitch: Grit, Goals, and Growing Pains
Chivas is sitting at 11 points after nine matchdays in the Clausura 2025, clinging to 10th place in the Liga MX standings. It’s been a mixed bag, but there’ve been some bright spots. Just last week, they pulled off a gutsy 2-1 comeback against Pachuca at the Akron Stadium on February 22nd. Alan Pulido and Luis Romo were the heroes, flipping the script after an early deficit—even with Miguel Tapias getting sent off late. That win snapped a five-game winless streak against the Tuzos and kept Chivas undefeated at home this season (2 wins, 2 draws). Raúl Rangel’s 14 saves in six starts? Clutch.
But then came the reality check. On Wednesday, February 26th, they got smoked 3-0 by bottom-of-the-table Atlético San Luis. Ouch. Posts on X are calling the defense “a mess,” and honestly, it’s hard to argue after that one. The loss dropped them from contention for a top spot and sparked some serious soul-searching. Still, I saw flashes of fight—like Roberto Alvarado’s relentless energy and Erick Gutiérrez trying to hold the midfield together. This team’s got heart; they just need consistency.
Big News: Coaching Chaos Hits Chivas
Here’s the bombshell from this morning: Óscar García is out as head coach, per TUDN Mexico. After that San Luis debacle, the club’s pulling the plug, with José Meléndez stepping in as interim boss. The rumor mill’s buzzing, and Gerardo Espinoza—yeah, the ex-Atlas guy—is a “strong candidate” to take over permanently. X is exploding with reactions: some fans are thrilled to see a fresh face, others are skeptical about Espinoza’s Rojinegros roots. Me? I’m torn. García had us playing with grit, but the results weren’t there. Maybe Espinoza’s tactical nous could shake things up.
This shake-up comes after a wild week off the field too. Chivas copped a 300,000-peso fine from the Disciplinary Committee for a social media post complaining about officiating—remember that disallowed goal against Toluca on February 15th? Amaury Vergara even filed a formal complaint with the Liga MX and FIFA, demanding VAR audio and alleging bias. Posts on X suggest this might tie back to Chivas ditching Televisa for Prime Video MX. Whatever’s going on, Vergara’s not backing down, and I respect the hustle.
Off the Field: Transfers and Future Hopes
In other news, Chivas loaned out 18-year-old winger Fidel Barajas to D.C. United in the MLS for a year—no buy option. The kid’s got flair (vision, dribbling, the works), but after his $4 million move from Real Salt Lake to Chivas last July, he’s still finding his feet. I’m bummed to see him go, but a year in MLS could polish him up for a big return.
Looking ahead, tonight’s clash with No. 3 UCLA—wait, scratch that, I mean today’s matchup against Tigres Femenil for Chivas Femenil—is the focus. The women’s squad, sitting fourth with the league’s best defense (just 4 goals conceded in 9 games), takes on Tigres at 7 PM at Universitario Stadium. Damaris Godínez’s stoppage-time header against Toluca last month has me believing they could upset the champs tonight.
My Take: Where’s Chivas Headed?
So, where does this leave us? Chivas is at a crossroads. The men’s team has talent—Pulido’s back scoring, Alvarado’s a menace, and Romo’s finding his groove—but the defense is leaky, and the coaching carousel’s a wild card. Tonight, they’re off, but next Saturday’s home tilt against Cruz Azul on March 8th looms large. Win that, and they’re back in the playoff hunt.
As a fan, I’m frustrated but optimistic. The San Luis loss stings, but that Pachuca fightback showed what this team can do when it clicks. Espinoza or not, I think Chivas needs to lean into their identity—fast, fearless, all-Mexican grit. What do you reckon, ChivaHermanos? Is this season salvageable, or are we in for more heartbreak? Hit me up with your thoughts—I’m all ears!
टिप्पणियाँ
एक टिप्पणी भेजें