10 Mexico Youngsters Set to Break Out in 2015
The Liga MX 2015 Clausura tournament is around the corner and with it new opportunities for youngsters to make an impact on their clubs and, hopefully, secure a spot on the Mexico national team.
Most of them have proven their worth with the youth squads (U17, U20 and U23), but at the club level, they have a long way to go.
The Mexican teams used to have the obligation to use these footballers because the 20/11 rule specified that every club had to give 1,000 minutes to players aged 20 years, 11 months and younger throughout the 17 matchdays of the season.
However, this rule was abolished (link in Spanish) in 2011, and these kids have to fight for a spot in the starting XI with experienced and enshrined footballers.
Some have accomplished the feat, while others—almost all of them—are still trying.
Let's take a look at 10 Mexico youngsters who are set to break out in 2015.
10. Jose Abella (Santos Laguna)
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Position: Defender
Age: 20 years old
Debut in the Liga MX: July 2013
Jose Abella is an undisputed starter in Pedro Caixinha's team, but he has not established himself as one of the best Mexican defenders.
The Santos Laguna footballer is very flexible. He can play on either flank but also in the center of the box. Last season, he usually appeared as a right-back.
Abella has played for Mexico's U17, U20 and U21 squads. He appeared in the 2013 U20 World Cup and 2013 and 2014 Toulon Tournament.
He needs to step up his speed and improve when holding possession. If he manages to mature during the offseason and realize that he has the coach's trust, we will see a fantastic defender.
9. Jose Van Rankin (UNAM)
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Position: Defender
Age: 21 years old
Debut in the Liga MX: March 2012
Jose Van Rankin was formed as a footballer in UNAM's youth system. Although he made his professional debut in 2012, he didn't become a regular player until March 2013, in the middle of the Clausura tournament.
Van Rankin displayed his true talent in the 2013 U20 CONCACAF Championship, where he played as a midfielder and appeared in all five games of the competition.
His defensive skills secured him the starting position as a right-back with Pumas for the 2014 Apertura. Since he can also play as a midfielder, Van Rankin usually joins the attacking zone.
He can run all the way to the goal line, from where he serves the forwards. Last season, he completed 85 percent of the passes he sent; that's a total of 525.
If he continues with the hard work and matures quickly, he will have a bright future ahead of him.
8. Marco Bueno (Toluca)
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Position: Forward
Age: 20 years old
Debut in the Liga MX: October 2011
Marco Bueno has been playing in the Liga MX for three years, but he has only appeared in 28 games—seven of those as a starter.
Bueno caught the media's attention when he played the 2011 U17 World Cup held in Mexico. He scored once in the tournament and proved his worth as a playmaker.
Pachuca gave him the chance to play regularly in the 2012 Clausura. He put the ball away four times, becoming the best rookie of the tournament (link in Spanish).
But after coach Efrain Flores left Tuzos, Bueno hardly ever played. In the 2014 Clausura, he was loaned out to Estudiantes Tecos, a second-division squad.
After six months, he returned to the Liga MX with Toluca, but he hasn't had playing time. In the 2014 Apertura, he only appeared once in Matchday 14 against Leon.
This kid has proven his worth, as a fast and elusive footballer who has a lethal long-distance shot.
7. Rodolfo Pizarro (Pachuca)
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Position: Midfielder
Age: 20 years old
Debut in the Liga MX: September 2012
Rodolfo Pizarro may have received his first cap for the Mexico senior team in 2014, but there is a lot of room for improvement.
His performance in the 2014 Clausura was superb. He played in every game and was instrumental in helping Tuzos reach the two-legged final match, which they lost to Leon.
However, Pizarro failed to keep the momentum going, and in the 2014 Apertura, he only played in 14 matchdays—11 as a starter.
His speed allows him to provide depth through the right flank. Although he is a natural midfielder, he can also play as a defender, giving his side ball possession and options to counterattack.
Pizarro needs to find balance and leave the overconfidence behind in order to break out in 2015.
6. Candido Ramirez (Monterrey)
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Position: Midfielder
Age: 21 years old
Debut in the Liga MX: July 2012
There is absolutely no doubt that Candido Ramirez has what it takes to start every game with Monterrey; the club loaned him out in 2013 (link in Spanish).
Ramirez caught the eye of the media in 2012, after he scored twice in the Toulon Tournament, which the Mexico U23 squad won. Despite his superb performance, he didn't play in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Although Efrain Velarde has been manager Carlos Barra's first choice for the left flank, Ramirez proved his worth in last season's quarterfinals against Atlas, as he scored once.
His body build combined with his elusiveness set him as a very valuable element for the attacking zone. His long stride allows him to leave defenders behind easily, while his fine touch helps him send crosses or finish plays by himself.
5. Hirving Lozano (Pachuca)
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Position: Forward
Age: 19 years old
Debut in the Liga MX: February 2014
Hirving Lozano is one of the newest faces in the Liga MX. He made his debut in the 2014 Clausura and quickly became a thriving force in Pachuca's attacking zone.
In his first season with Tuzos, he put the ball away twice, including one in the first leg of the final showdown, and he contributed four assists, according to MedioTiempo.com (in Spanish).
It was in the 2014 Apertura that he really proved to have what it takes to lead Pachuca's offensive attack. Lozano started 18 of 19 games during the season, including the Liguilla quarterfinals.
He scored four times, created 24 goal opportunities and completed 85 percent of his passes. Little by little, Lozano has polished his ability to shoot from outside the box and leave defenders behind.
If newly appointed coach Diego Alonso trusts him the same way Enrique Meza did, and El Chucky keeps working hard, he will catch Miguel Herrera's attention.
4. Dieter Villalpando (Tigres UANL)
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Position: Midfielder
Age: 23 years old
Debut in the Liga MX: January 2014
For the first time since he debuted in the Liga MX, Dieter Villalpando will appear with a club different than Pachuca.
The midfielder is set to join Tigres for the 2015 Clausura tournament in the hopes of receiving more playing time. Last season, he started only 10 games and spent a total of 805 out of a possible 1,710 minutes on the pitch.
In 17 appearances in the 2014 Apertura, he created 16 goal opportunities, including three assists. Despite being a natural central midfielder, Villalpando is very skillful through the right flank.
His arrival at UANL couldn't come at better time, as manager Ricardo Ferretti needs to restructure his team after a shameful defeat in last season's final.
Villalpando's eagerness and forcefulness will add rhythm and depth to Tigres' attack.
3. Carlos Fierro (Guadalajara)
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Position: Forward
Age: 20 years old
Debut in the Liga MX: August 2011
Carlos Fierro may be one of the most active youngsters, but he is still far from being the kid who made everyone fall in love with him at the 2011 U17 World Cup.
Fierro has struggled to keep his high-level form. He has only put the ball away five times in 83 appearances with Guadalajara.
Last season, manager Carlos Bustos didn't use him in all of the games, but after Eduardo de la Torre arrived at Chivas, Fierro appeared in every match except for the Clasico against America.
In all fairness, Fierro has had to fight for playing time with experienced footballers, but since Guadalajara have clearly stated that they are putting all of their chips in youngsters—they have signed (link in Spanish) Isaac Brizuela and brought back Miguel Ponce and Erick Torres— the 20-year-old has a good chance of finally making it big.
His ability to play through the flanks (either of them) or behind the striker sets him as a valuable asset in Guadalajara's quest to avoid relegation.
2. Erick Torres (Guadalajara)
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Position: Forward
Age: 21 years old
Debut in the Liga MX: November 2010
Erick Torres may have succeeded in his one-year stint in the MLS, but he has a lot to prove in Mexico.
El Cubo put the ball away 22 times in 44 appearances, becoming the all-time Mexican-born scorer of the American league.
Before leaving for Los Angeles, Torres played six Liga MX tournaments, which translates into 64 appearances, 48 as a starter, and a total tally of 16 goals.
If El Cubo receives continuity from Jose Manuel de la Torre and the same amount of confidence he got at Chivas USA, he will definitively make an impact on the pitch.
His strong aerial game, combined with his vision to finish plays, especially while coming from behind, sets him as one of the most promising youngsters of the upcoming Clausura tournament.
Guadalajara have to take advantage of the six months he will spend with them. The Houston Dynamo signed the Mexican earlier this month, and they are expecting him to join the squad in the summer.
1. Jurgen Damm (Pachuca)
10 of 10Position: Winger
Age: 22 years old
Debut in the Liga MX: March 2012
Jurgen Damm is one of the most promising Mexican footballers. Although he has been a regular player for Pachuca (51 appearances, 40 as a starter), he hasn't been as consistent as expected.
Damm's abilities are undeniable. He is very fast and has fantastic touch, as well as dribbling skills. It's no wonder Chelsea was interested in signing him, according to Mexican sports newspaper Record (h/t Sky Sports).
He has what it takes to make a huge impact on the pitch, but his lack of maturity has overshadowed his future.
Coach Diego Alonso's arrival at Pachuca couldn't have come at a better time. Tuzos always bet on youngsters, and the Uruguayan decided to keep Damm in his restructure, which means he sees the footballer as a thriving force for the team.
Damm's talent allows him to play in several positions. He has appeared in the back line, as an attacking midfielder and as a winger, his usual and most successful post.
All stats appear courtesy of Squawka, unless otherwise noted.
