Santos Laguna was one of the best teams in the Liga MX Clausura 2017, finishing in fifth with 26 points and only one loss. Jose Manuel de la Torre built a solid base at the club and will now look to repeat the successful campaign and make a run for the Apertura 2017 title.
This offseason for Los Guerreros was not about who was brought in but about who did not end up departing the club. Two key signings this offseason for Santos were Javier Cortez coming in from Pumas UNAM in a swap deal for Nestor Calderon and Uruguayan winger Brian Lozano coming in from Club America to fill in as a role player on the bench. It was shocking that Santos Laguna managed to buy a player from Club America this off season, instead of losing one to the Mexico City team. Miguel Herrera was specifically targeting one of Santos’ centre-backs in Nestor Araujo or Carlos Izquierdoz.
It was a miracle that the tandem will be with Santos Laguna in the Apertura 2017 and that should help the team from Torreon crack the playoffs in the upcoming tournament. The rigid defense that can also score goals along with the potent offense of Julio Furch, Jonathan Rodriguez and Djaniny Tavares, who scored 15 goals combined in the Clausura 2017.
Finally, tying up the team is a very strong midfield with players like Ulises Rivas, Walter Gael Sandoval and one of the best players from the Clausura 2017, Osvaldo Martinez. Santos Laguna should be one of the most difficult teams to break down in this upcoming tournament like it was in the Clausura 2017 and should be a solid title contender.
