It took Carlos Vela 10 minutes to prove that he didn’t lose a step over Major League Soccer’s lengthy offseason.
Vela, 30, started his third preseason in grandiose fashion, scoring a trademark left-footed curler against Uruguayan giants Peñarol. The Mexican winger, who scored a league-record 34 goals in 31 matches, inspired LAFC’s 2-0 win at the Banc of California Stadium.
Thousands of miles away, an old friend of Vela, Ulises Davila, delivered the good for his club once again. The Chivas academy product scored a goal and provided an assist in Wellington Phoenix’s 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets.
Here is a list of several other Mexico national team affiliates making a name for themselves (or not) outside of Mexico this weekend.
Premier League
Raul Jimenez, Wolverhampton Wanderers — Jimenez and Wolves did not feature this weekend, but they did on Thursday, and the Mexican shined then. Jimenez scored his 11th goal of the season in Wolves’ 2-1 loss to leaders Liverpool, equalling Harry Kane‘s and Sadio Mane’s count. Thhe goal, itself, was a masterpiece:
It wasn't to be our night, but what a moment… @AdamaTrd37 and @Raul_Jimenez9 link up yet again to send Molineux over the edge.
🎥⚽️ pic.twitter.com/UUHaJIyXcK
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 24, 2020
La Liga
Hector Herrera, Atletico Madrid — Herrera took the field in the 62nd minute for Angel Correa and completed 25 passes in Atletico’s 0-0 draw with Leganes.
Andres Guardado, Real Betis — Guardado started but left the field 34 minutes in after picking up an injury. Betis dropped three points after losing to Getafe 1-0.
Diego Lainez, Real Betis — The 19-year-old was not called up to Betis’ bench on Sunday.
Nestor Araujo, Celta Vigo — Araujo started and played 90 minutes in Celta’s draw with Eibar on Sunday.
Serie A
Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, Napoli — With reports linking the frenetic winger to Everton, Lozano continues lack playing minutes with Napoli. The 24-year-old was on Genaro Gattuso’s bench on Sunday, but was not substituted on in Napoli’s 2-1 win over Juventus.
Primeira Liga
Jesus “Tecatito” Corona, FC Porto — Tecatito started and played all 90 minutes in Porto’s 1-0 loss to Braga in the Taca da Liga final. It was reported that the 27-year-old’s home in Portugal was burglarized during the match.
Eredivisie
Erick Gutierrez, PSV Eindhoven — Gutierrez earned his first minutes of competitive playing time of the year on Sunday. The midfielder played the final eight minutes of PSV’s draw with FC Twente on Sunday.
Edson Alvarez, Ajax — Alvarez dressed but remained on the bench for Ajax on Sunday.
Major League Soccer
Carlos Vela, LAFC – Vela kickstarted LAFC’s 2020 preseason in spectacular fashion. Take a look for yourself:
New year, same Carlos Vela 🎯
(via @LAFC) pic.twitter.com/yHq1sXGTfu
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 26, 2020
Jupiler Pro League
Omar Govea, Zulte Waregem — Govea and Zulte were inactive this weekend.
Elsewhere around the globe:
Ulises Davila, Wellington Phoenix – On Thursday, Davila played a tremendous role in Phoenix’s 2-1 win, scoring a goal and adding an assist against Newcastle Jets. Davila is the A-League’s fourth highest scoring this season with 10 goals.
