What To Watch For | Indy Eleven vs. CF Pachuca

CHAMPIONS VS. CAMPEONES

It should come as no surprise that Sunday’s melee between two league champions is being touted as the highest profile match to ever take place at Carroll Stadium – because it is.

C.F. Pachuca roll into town as Liga MX champions after defeating Monterrey 2-1 on aggregate over two legs in the last week of May, a 93rd minute winner from Pachuca midfielder Victor Guzman sealing the deal in the final game of the season. No stranger to drama, Pachuca reached the Liga MX finals after beating Leon 3-2 on aggregate, where again a 93rd minute winner (this time by winger Hirving Lozano) sent them through.

The story for the “Boys in Blue” is somewhat the same, but with a few more goals. Needing to win by three while scoring at least four against the Carolina Railhawks in the last game of the spring season, a hat-trick by NASL Player of the Week and one from the second part of the terrible twosome up top in Justin Braun saw “Indiana’s Team” rake in their first trophy at Carroll Stadium in a 4-1 win.

Now the pair meet at “The Mike” in six days’ time with pride on the line, and oh, a debut for this Gerardo Torrado fella that Indianapolis signed earlier this month.

GERARDO TORRADO MAKES HIS DEBUT

Torrado, who captained Liga MX giants Cruz Azul for 11 years and left “El Tri” as the third-most capped player in Mexico’s illustrious history, has been working vigorously on his own to keep in shape ahead of this weekend’s battle. Integrating himself with the squad, “El Borrego” observed the Carolina game from the sidelines but told fans he couldn’t wait to get to work with his new side.

The three-time CONCACAF Gold Cup winner arrived in the Circle City and saw this as an opportunity to take his family to an area where they have the best opportunity to learn, and where he had the best opportunity to continue his playing career as he transitions to the next stage in his game.

Talking with IndyEleven.com’s John Koluder, Torrado immediately stated his aim to succeed with the Eleven.

“I am thrilled to begin this new adventure as a soccer player. I am sure that with my teammates, the club, and the great fan base of Indiana, we will achieve great things,” said the midfielder.

BIG NAMES TO KNOW

While Liga MX isn’t the most accessible league to watch in the United States, C.F. Pachuca travel with a few names that some U.S., and soccer fans in general, will be plenty familiar with.

Starting at the back, one of Liga MX’s most recognizable names is Pachuca ‘keeper Oscar Perez, who has been with the champions on loan since 2013. Having made over 400 appearances in the Mexican league in addition to over 50 caps with the Mexico national team, Perez brings experience and leadership to the side. At 43 years old and just 5 ft 8 in., Perez somewhat compares to Eleven ‘netminder Jon Busch, who is 39 years old and stands at 5 ft 10 in, in what he is able to bring to his side.

For fans of the United States Men’s National Team, a familiar face comes to the Midwest in defender Omar Gonzalez, who was left off of U.S. Soccer’s roster for the 2016 Copa America. Gonzalez transferred to Los Tuzos this season after six years with the L.A. Galaxy in MLS, and has made 19 appearances while scoring one goal. After winning three MLS Cups with the Galaxy, and now adding to his trophy cabinet with the 2016 Liga MX Clausara, the 27-year-old rides in with his team on a high.

Finally, another name to know for the visitors is the man who captained Pachuca during the first leg victory over Monterrey – Mexico midfielder Erick Gutierrez. Though just 21 years of age, Gutierrez has featured for Pachuca since 2013 and is a member of the Mexico U23 squad that played in the 2015 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship. After featuring in all 34 league games for Pachuca last season while notching six goals, Gutierrez repeated the same feat while tallying up three goals in total this season and remains an integral part of the C.F. Pachuca team.

Between honoring two league champions, witnessing the debut of legendary Mexico man Gerardo Torrado, and seeing the wide range of experience and talent that C.F. Pachuca has at their disposal, Sunday’s game is sure to be one of the most exciting and entertaining matches Indianapolis has ever seen.