The year 2012 will be one of dear history for Club Leon. Being one of Mexico’s most historical and successful teams, Leon was relegated to the Liga de Ascenso in 2002. Ever since, they fought furiously to get back to the first division but for many years without glory. In they lost five finals (three league finals and two direct promotion) finals in the ten years before returning to the first division in 2012. Leon is a historical team with one of Mexico’s best fans which will once again get the chance to play first division soccer.
The team that won its promotion was led by Colombian winger Hernan Burbano and Uruguayan forward Sebastian Maz. For the Apertura 2012 of the new Liga MX, Leon will still try to win games under these two offensive players. Although the base of the team from the second division is still intact, Leon was one of the teams that made the most transfers in the off-season. The major signings they made were of defenders Jonny Magallon and Javier Mustafa and midfielder Edgar Pacheco.
Leon is a team that is newly promoted but their squad is filled with first division talent. This is a team that will be well-prepared for the Liga MX challenge, and they already have demonstrated this by being undefeated in the preseason, including a game against Mexico’s Olympic team. Leon will start in last place of the relegation fight with a percentage of 0.00 but this team is talented enough to survive and possibly fight for bigger things—similar to what Xolos of Tijuana did last year by passing to the playoffs in their first year in the first division.
Coach: Gustavo Matozas
Players In: Christian Martinez, Jonny Magallon, Javier Mustafa, Edgar Mejia, Edgar Pacheco, Juan Carlos Rojas, Saul Villalobos, Othoniel Arce, Matias Britos, Juan Jose Calderon
Players Out: Marco Ivan Perez, Fernando Salazar
Players to Watch: Hernan Burbano
Prospect Players: Othoniel Arce
Possible Lineup: Christian Martinez, Javier Mustafa, Jonny Magallon, Oscar Mascorro, Saul Villalobos, Edgar Mejia, Eisner Loboa, Edgar Pacheco, Hernan Burbano, Othoniel Arce, Sebastian Maz
Playoffs Contender: No
Title Contender: No
Power Ranking: 14 of 18
