LIGA MX
Why was Cade Cowell registered as a homegrown player by Chivas?
Despite not having been born in Mexico, the player was registered as a homegrown player by the Liga MX.
Chivas Guadalajara pulled one of the biggest surprises of the winter transfer window after completing the signing of Cade Cowell from MLS side San José Earthquakes. Despite being born in the United States (Ceres, California to be precise), the player was registered by the Liga MX as a homegrown player, who had come through the system in Mexico.
In previous years, players who did not have any formative training in the country were registered as foreign players - non-nationals not trained in Mexico even if they had Mexican nationality. However, Cowell has national ancestry on his mother’s side and this allowed him to be registered as a 100% Mexican player.
It is worth recalling that in 2017, Chivas were able to register Alejandro Zendejas because the rule included an exception for players of Mexican and American nationality. In such circumstances, players with those characteristics, whose first professional appearance was in the Liga MX would be registered as players who have come up through the system in Mexico.
Meanwhile, Cowell is already thinking about making his debut in the Liga MX. That could happen this weekend in Guadalajara’s trip to Monterrey where they will take on Tigres. However, if head coach Robert Siboldi decides not to field him, Cade might have to wait until Week 3 when Chivas are away to Tijuana.