Ricardo Cadena: “Playing against the MLS teams is good for all of us”

This year, the Leagues Cup is not really a tournament, per se. It’s more about exhibition games, as a little taste of what will be seen next year, when all the teams from MLS and Liga MX lock horns in the contest. And with that in mind, Chivas coach, Ricardo Cadena, spoke after his side’s 3-1 loss to Cincinnati FC saying that playing against teams from the United States is good for Mexican teams.

Chivas’ Cadena promotes mutual MLS challenge benefits

“These types of encounters are very important for everyone. I think that as long as we can have that opportunity to be playing with the MLS, it’s good for all of us, for them and for us.

“We are in a local tournament, which is nothing more than finding the time to turn up with a full squad. We understand that transfers and games have been very unusual, but it will always be important. Today we have a great opportunity, it will allow us to experience a tournament with Mexican and MLS clubs.

“That is aligning us and today we were able to experience what that cup will surely be like,” he explained.

Despite the disappointing scoreline, Cadena claims to take positive conclusions from it.

“Of course you want to win the games, you work to get the best result and within that you also have to use the players you have available. It is true that the volume of games has not allowed us to have four called-up players, in addition to the rest and rotations that we gave to those involved in the Clásico. We have valued it a lot and it is good for us to have the possibility of giving minutes to Canelo, and to Molina after almost a year out and who returns after surgery. Players like Mier, Ponce and Mozo had minutes today and it is important, together with the participation of the youth squad, that it is an opportunity to shine.

“Today that is the part that we get positives from, regardless of the result that was not what we expected, nor what we wanted.

“In many ways it helped us and served us well. Of course it is about seeing the options, alternatives, we work with a different formation to what we had been doing, with three central defenders, two wide men, two holding, and at some point with two forwards. We moved the team around a lot, and I know that this can have repercussions.

The coach applauded the return of Jesús Molina, after several months rehabilitation.

“Mainly, it is a great pleasure that one of your players recovers after a little more than seven months since his last participation as a player. Seeing him today gives us great joy, great satisfaction that he has had pitchtime, that he has done it in a positive way after so long, and to have him in the locker room.

“He is one of our captains in the squad and he occupies a very important place. Later, Molina will have to pick up the pace, his best form, and he will continue to have his important place within the group. It’s true, today the regularity of Sergio Flores, the dynamics of Oso and Lalo, of course after Molina’s return, it will take a while, how much? I don’t know, but today I am pleasantly surprised and happy with your participation now.”