Mexico

The Liga MX Clausura playoffs are upon us. The dates and times are set for the quarterfinals, which begin this Wednesday and conclude on Sunday. León enters the liguilla as the top seed, but it’s rarely ever as straight forward as all that. The opening round also features appearances from Necaxa and Pachuca (making their first playoff appearances since the 2016 Apertura) and a rematch of last year’s final between Mexico City rivals Cruz Azul and Club America. 

Watch a couple minutes of Concacaf U-17 Championship highlights and one thing is clear: There is a lot of talent in the youth ranks at some of North America and Central America. 

This isn’t that surprising to anyone who follows MLS these days. Two of the biggest stars in the field are Mexico’s Efrain Alvarez and the United States’ Gianluca Busio, two 16-year-olds who are already making waves in MLS. 

Raúl Jiménez is having himself a year with Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

In fact, the 27-year-old striker on loan from Benfica is having one of the best seasons for a Mexican in England ever, statistically speaking.

Jiménez scored the opener in Wolves’ 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday, marking his 13th Premier League goal this season. 

After advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2017 event, Mexico looks to advance even further at this summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland with a group of 21 players that’ve excelled at the youth level for El Tri. 

A big talking point, much to the consternation of coach Diego Ramirez, is the fact that Monterrey has barred Jonathan Gonzalez from joining the side with the Liga MX playoffs looming.

The last time the USMNT played a meaningful match, it was that horrific loss to Trinidad and Tobago in October of 2017, keeping the Americans out of the 2018 World Cup. After the 2019 Gold Cup draw, the U.S. will be seeing the Soca Warriors once again in their next competitive match.

The U.S. was drawn against Trinidad and Tobago, Panama and Guyana in Group D of the 2019 Gold Cup draw on Wednesday, setting the stage for Concacaf’s biennial championship.

PSV Eindhoven stumbled to a 3-3 draw with Vitesse to allow Ajax to go top of the Dutch Eredivisie table on goal difference, but things could’ve been worse if not for the dynamic play of Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. 

With PSV trailing 1-0 shortly before halftime, the El Tri star burst through the Vitesse defense, drove into the box and was taken out by the goalkeeper to earn his side a penalty. The 23-year-old then duly converted by sending an effort low and to the keeper’s right.

A meeting between two clubs desperate to cement commendable seasons with a shot at silverware produced a classic FA Cup semifinal today at Wembley Stadium. Wolves went 2-0 up by the 62nd minute before Watford came storming back to force extra time with a goal in the 94th minute, and then Hornets hero Gerard Deulofeu scored his second in the 104th to book his side’s passage to the final, where Manchester City awaits. 

Diego Maradona’s coaching career might be over after a contentious match Friday night in Ascenso MX.

The Argentine legend was named coach of Dorados de Sinaloa in the fall and actually had a bit of success (at least on the pitch), reaching the final of the Apertura campaign. After reaching the Copa MX quarterfinals this year, Dorados could have clinched qualification for the Clausura Liguilla with a win on Friday against Venados.

Sporting KC was the last hope. 

After four other MLS sides were tossed aside in embarrassing fashion — three to Liga MX sides — Sporting was the only squad north of the Rio Grande left in the 2019 Concacaf Champions League. 

They won’t be around much longer.