This week we have headlines from Liga MX and the Copa Sudamericana, as July came to a conclusion and football across the Americas’ remained full of drama, including Guido Pizarro’s resignation from Tigres UANL.
Guido Pizarro Resigns from Tigres UANL
A trophy winning club captain who pushed out his previous manager to take the reigns himself, Guido Pizarro’s time in the hot seat at Tigres made for compelling football. The 36-year-old Argentine resigned this week from his role as the manager of the Monterrey based club. Tigres has struggled this off-season, and Pizarro’s decision was driven by his anger with management.
Owned by Cemex, one of Mexico’s largest multinational corporations, Tigres has long been one of the top spenders in Liga MX, however they have failed to make significant signings to renew the squad this season and after a 33-23-18 record as manager, including defeat in a league final against Toluca and a CONCACAF Cup semifinal against Nashville. Pizarro has decided to seek out new options for his career.
Coming after the start of this Liga MX season, and ahead of the Leagues Cup, Tigres are left scrambling for a new manager. The club has managed just one draw in three games this season and were smashed 3-1 by Tijuana Xolos on matchday 1.
Mexico’s El Tri Confirms 3 Fall Friendlies in USA
As previously reported, Mexico’s El Tri set their fall international friendly schedule for September and October. The game against the United States did not come to fruition, and rather it’s a 3 game schedule with matches against Colombia, Peru, and Chile, three CONEMBOL opponents for Rafa Marquez managerial debut.
CONEMBOL Sudamericana Last 16 Confirmed
The CONEMBOL Copa Sudamericana playoff phase was completed, and 16 teams are now left chasing South America’s second continental trophy. Boca Juniors had to survive against O’Higgins in Chile, winning a penalty shootout 4-3. That was the most compelling tie of the playoff phase, though there were upsets in this phase.
Bolivar stunned Gremio 4-2, winning both legs including the leg in Brazil. It’s been 24 years since a Bolivian side eliminated one from Brazil, and under pressure, Bolivar responded. Gremio are now in dire trouble, in addition to being eliminated from the Sudamericana, they currently sit in the relegation zone of the Brasileiro.
Peru’s Cienciano pulled off a similarly significant upset, 4-2 across two legs against Argentina’s Lanus, at altitude they dominated proceedings and won their home leg 4-0.
The remaining clubs to reach the last 16 include three teams from Brazil, Santos, Vasco da Gama, and RB Bragantino. The margin for Vasco and Bragantino being just one goal against their opposition. Colombia’s Santa Fe are the last club from the country to be in a continental competition, as they advanced to the last 16 without sweat. Argentina’s Tigre eliminated eliminated Uruguay’s Nacional 4-2.
The last 16 Sudamericana matchups include a number of top teams, including all-Brazil clash between RB Bragantino and Atletico Mineiro, Santa Fe against River Plate, and Boca Juniors against Recoleta from Paraguay.
Cape Verde’s Vozinha in Transfer Drama with Colo Colo
Chile’s legendary club Colo Colo made headlines recently, as they were prepared to sign Cape Verde international Vozinha as their goalkeeper. However, that transfer is at risk of being hijacked in what would be a missed opportunity for Chilean football as a whole. As of now, Vozinha is still scheduled to arrive in Santiago to begin a new chapter in Chilean football.
One of the standout players of the 2026 World Cup, Vozinha spent his last two years in Portugal at Chaves, now 40, he would be aiming to lead Colo Colo back to relevance in continental competitions. Colo Colo has begun 2026 far better than last season, after 17 games, they lead the Chilean Primera Division by double digits in the table with a 14-0-3 record. At 39, former Chilean international Arturo Vidal remains the club captain.
Dayro Moreno Chases 400 Goals in Colombia, Bacca Joins Deportivo Cali
Dayro Moreno scored a magnificent chip in Once Caldas opening win over Deportivo Cucuta last week. The 40-year-old striker has now notched 384 professional goals, and is 16 away from 400, likely the last individual record he’s chasing in Colombian football. Moreno continues to age like fine wine and show plenty of goal scoring class.
Another great striker from that generation of Colombian footballers, Carlos Bacca, left Junior FC after winning multiple titles and has joined up with the Deportivo Cali project for the end of his career. At 39, Bacca is now more of a super sub than a regular starter, but he joins a team that has demonstrated significant ambition with their recent transfer moves.
Sporting KC Make Record Offer for Olympiacos Attacker
Sporting KC are involved in their own transfer drama, the club has found renewed ambitions under new ownership and are looking to splash the cash for Olympiacos Andre Luiz. Luiz is one of multiple high value players that SKC has pursued in a league that has signed players like Casemiro, and Robert Lewandowski this transfer window.
At 24, Luiz only made 9 appearances for Flamengo, before spending time in Portugal and joining Olympiacos in January. While he’s highly thought of by scouts, he has few notable performances in either Europe or Brazil that would likely justify the 18 million+ transfer fee. It appears SKC chased the transfer, as Wolves in England were also ready to sign Luiz.
A Winless July for River Plate
River Plate takes on Angel Di Maria and Rosario Central today to start their August campaign, in July, the Buenos Aires giants went winless. On debut, Angel Correa struggled and for the second consecutive domestic matchday, River Plate went scoreless in defeat, this time to Gimnasia LP as the Liga Argentina continues to be a highly competitive competition.
MLS vs Liga MX Leagues Cup Begins After Forgettable All-Star Game
Tuesday, August 4th, will see the kickoff the MLS vs Liga MX Leagues Cup. The two leagues clashed in a recent all-star game that featured notable absences of top players and relatively empty stands in Charlotte. As for the game itself, LAFC’s Heung-min Son scored a brace, and MLS prevailed 4-3. From Tuesday on, each day will be full of Liga MX vs MLS matchups including Club America vs SDFC on Thursday at the famous Estadio Azteca.
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
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