Rafael Márquez has explained the decision Club América supporters wanted explained. Speaking in Kingston on Friday, on the eve of Mexico’s Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica, the Mexico coach said Henry Martín, the Club América captain, is “not necessary” in this squad, despite his 11 goals in the Apertura.
“I respect Henry a lot, I know him very well, I know what he can give me,” Márquez said at the pre-match press conference. He added that, on his scouting rounds, América’s matches are the ones he has attended most, and that Martín has the level. “He has certain things that perhaps others give me more,” he said.
“With three strikers, even four with León, we believe that for today he is not necessary, and that is why we decided not to bring him,” Márquez said. “The door stays open, though, if there is a chance further ahead to bring Henry.”
The fourth striker is Armando León, of NK Osijek in Croatia, a player Márquez said his staff have been tracking for two and a half months.
And the goals alone were never going to settle it. “You have to value everything, not just the goals,” Márquez said. “You have to see how he scores them, how he links up play, how effective he is, how many balls he loses when laying it off, how much more he generates. It is not just the goal. There are many more things we ask of the striker.”
Martín answered the omission himself last Saturday, minutes after scoring his 11th goal of the tournament at Pumas UNAM. “Injustice? No,” he said in the mixed zone, insisting the national team coach has the authority to choose his players and that he works for his club first. His numbers this tournament are 11 goals and three assists in 14 matches.
Martín’s next two assignments are with América: the friendly against the New York Red Bulls in Harrison on Saturday, and the regular-season finale at Tigres UANL on November 21, when first place is on the line. If the door Márquez left open on Friday opens again, it would be on the terms he set out in Kingston.
Keep up with all the Club América news on FutnSoccer, and check the Club América watch guide for how to watch the Águilas in the United States.
