Forget the results on the pitch during the regular season for Club León. The LIGA MX side comes into Leagues Cup 2023 as the defending CONCACAF Cup Champion. And it was a stifling defense that led them to the title.
During the club’s run from the quarterfinals to a CONCACAF Cup title, Club León gave up just four goals over eight matches and collected four clean sheets. And no opponent scored more than a goal in any single match during that run. Club León’s defense was also strong during the 2023 Clasura campaign, allowing just 13 goals in 17 matches. The scoring, on the other hand, was middle of the table.
The club has given up just three goals in three matches (1-0-2) heading into Leagues Cup 2023 and its lone win was a big 4-0 clean sheet against Pachuca. If the team can play the kind of defense that led them to a CONCACAF Cup title, it won’t need much offense to succeed.
Ángel Mena is the savvy veteran aiding León's attack
At 35 years old, Mena is the third-oldest player on the club and the oldest field player. His illustrious career may be coming to an end soon, but the veteran’s performance in the 2023 CONCACAF Cup showed there is still some gas left in the tank. In five appearances, Mena tallied three goals and notched three assists. He was involved (one goal, one assist) in two of the club’s three goals in the two-legged final.
Mena may not be the club’s go-to guy for goals (that would be Victor Dávila) or assists (Yairo Moreno), but the veteran leadership up top will be much appreciated in a World Cup-style tournament when clubs have no time to get into form.
Fidel Ambríz’s rise from the youth ranks to the first team
At just 20 years old, the third-youngest player on the club has already made 79 appearances for the first team. And just as importantly, he’s experienced title-winning soccer first hand. He was on the first team when it won the 2020 Clausura and the 2021 Leagues Cup. And he started in six of the club’s eight matches (including both legs of the final) enroute to winning the 2023 CONCACAF Cup. It’s rare to have championship-winning experience from a 20-year old, but Club León is one of the few clubs that has it.
Ambriz doesn’t have much to prove within the club, but Leagues Cup 2023 will be an opportunity for him to raise his profile heading into his third full season as a professional. Another international club title under his belt (three by age 20?!) would be a great thing to add to his resume as he looks to play at a higher level.
Nicolás Larcamón is the wunderkind tactician
During the 2022 Apatura, Club León allowed 29 goals in just 17 matches. In the 2023 Clausura, the club allowed 13 goals in 17 matches. That change can be attributed to 38-year old Nicolás Larcamón. The club’s turnaround defensively may not have been enough to win a league title, but it was more than enough to secure a 2023 CONCACAF Cup title.
Larcamón now has another opportunity to add a trophy to the club’s trophy case before he even gets into his second full season managing the club. Was his first year at the helm a one-hit wonder? Or can this wunderkind coach prove his tactics are suited for long-term success?
