FC Juárez delivered the knockout blow for Austin FC, eliminating the Major League Soccer side from Leagues Cup 2023 with a 3-1 win, and advancing to the knockout stage.
Los Bravos began the match down a goal after Austin’s Ethan Finley opened the match’s scoring. Then FC Juárez’s Sebastián Saucedo equalized just before the end of the half to make it 1-1. That set the stage for the night’s biggest star: Aitor Garcia
The 29-year-old Spaniard delivered, notching two highlight-reel goals to earn his team a win and set himself up as a striker who should be feared in the knockout round.
Who is Aitor Garcia?
FC Juárez confirmed his signing on June 20, 2023, to strengthen the squad for the start of the LIGA MX Apertura 2023, just ahead of Leagues Cup.
He was born in Gibraleón, Huelva Spain, on March 25, 1994 and his career began at Recreativo Huelva. He then went through teams like Almería B, CD Toledo, CF Rayo Majadahonda, Celta de Vigo B, Mérida AD, Cádiz CF and Sporting de Gijón, where he spent four seasons, his last club before leaving for Mexico.
His arrival was very surprising for FC Juárez fans since he was not known internationally. But based on his early performances, he’s begun to win fans over.
In an interview with the club, he talked about how he approached the move to the club: "I came with the objective to start a new project, where many changes have been made within the club and things are being done well. Many players have been brought in."
"The difference I found between the Spanish League and the Mexican League is that in Spain it is more physical and more organized in terms of tactics, but the quality of the players is very even," he said regarding playing in Mexico.
About living in Juárez, he added: "In Spain they always say bad things about Juárez, but when you get here, the reality is different. You realize that everything that is said is not true either. It’s just like everywhere, if you go looking for trouble, things can happen. Here, in Spain or anywhere in the world".
Aitor Garcia impressed in his LIGA MX debut, scoring a goal at the Azteca Stadium to beat Club América 2-1 on the first day of the LIGA MX Apertura tournament. Now, his wish is to continue with the same performance through the knockout stages of Leagues Cup.
