GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Only time will tell, but Friday could’ve been a turning point in the career of Ventura Alvarado, who started ahead of Paraguay international Pablo Aguilar at center back for Club America in their 2-2 draw on the road to Morelia on Friday night.
The 22-year-old Phoenix, Ariz. native had replaced the suspended Aguilar last Saturday in Las Aguilas’ 1-0 win over Tigres and retained his place this weekend.
Alvarado responded to coach Gustavo Matosas’ faith in him with a standout display, the only blemish being his slightly slack marking at a corner as Marco “Pikolín” Palacios headed in Morelia’s opener in 32nd minute.
Dual US and Mexican citizen Alvardo joined the Liga MX club as a teenager and broke into the first team in the Apertura 2014 playoffs, replacing the suspended Mexican international Paul Aguilar as America marched to the title.
The result leaves America on eight points from their five games played so far in the Liga MX Clausura 2015.
In Mexico’s second division on Friday, Marco Vidal’s Mineros de Zacatecas overcame Austin Guerrero’s Altamira 2-0, with both Americans going the full 90 minutes.
