HOUSTON - Tigres will be without new acquisition Sebastian Gonzalez for the first two games of InterLiga 2006, as he serves the remainder of a four-game suspension he picked up at last year's InterLiga while with Atlante.
"Chamagol," as he is called for his off-the-wall goal celebrations, sprayed the referee with water during a match against Chivas to earn the four-game suspension.
"I found out I was suspended because of last year's InterLiga with Atlante," Gonzalez said. "I thought it would be erased since I changed teams, so I am upset since I came ready to play and now I'm not able to for two games.
"It's frustrating because there seems to be a lack of information given for the tournament; it's something that could have been cleared up. I had no idea and I expected to play," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez's situation puts the Monterrey club in a tough spot as they are considered by many to be one of the favorites and will now have to open the tournament against Chivas on Wednesday and face Necaxa on Saturday in Frisco, Texas without a key player.
"The addition of Chamagol has added a new element to the team," said Tigres midfielder Walter Gaitan. "He's made our team a lot stronger offensively."
Gaitan, who scored 11 goals in Apertura 2005, will have to help pick up the slack left by the absence of Chamagol, as Tigres will have their hands full without the new signing. Jaime Lozano, who notched two goals and three assists out of the Tigres midfield, will also help bear the brunt of the load until the Chilean can return to the lineup, and Argentinian Nestor Silvera brings a seven-goal Apertura performance that could provide additional cover.
"All the teams are very tough," Lozano said. "But we have to take it step by step, game by game. It's going to be very tough because we know that Chivas comes with a very strong team, they have a bunch of new players.
"The team is in good shape, the preseason went well down in Monterrey, we're at a good point and ready to play," he added. "With the new addition of Chamagol I feel the team is much stronger than before."
Scott Joiner is a contributor to InterLiga.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the league or its clubs.
