In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Francisco Villalobos of Televisa to learn more about Club Puebla, New York City FC's opponent at Sports Illustrated Stadium to begin Leagues Cup. Here is a NYCFC vs Puebla preview.
• League Form: W-L-L
• Record: 1W, 0D, 2L | 3 points, 14th place
• Scoring Leader: Édgar Guerra, Emiliano Gómez, Esteban Lozano, Ricardo Marín, 1 goal
• Assist Leader: Édgar Guerra, Emiliano Gómez, José Pachuca, Ricardo Marín, 1 assist
1. Pubela's economic crisis has led to mediocrity
Hudson River Blue: Club Puebla hasn’t qualified for the Liga MX playoffs — known as La Liguilla — since they lost in the quarterfinals of the 2023/24 Apertura season. This season, Puebla has one win in its first three Apertura matches, scoring four goals and conceding five. What’s happened to Puebla over the past two seasons?
Francisco Villalobos: Puebla’s lack of success in Liga MX, and inability to win a championship since the 1989-90 tournament is mainly the lack of investment into the team. This economic crisis continues, and hence, Puebla continues to be a mediocre team, for lack of a better nomenclature. Something similar to what the Houston Dynamo has been suffering since their glory days when they moved from San Jose.
Hudson River Blue Staff
2. Pubela's offense is bleak
HRB: Puebla’s offense is lackluster: Emiliano Gómez scored a team-high five goals last season, while Édgar Guerra has one goal and one assist this season. Are there any other players NYCFC should look out for on Tuesday?
FV: Not to be a sour grape. But I do not see any particular player who can be a game-changer for Puebla. However, this is why we play the game, and anybody can win any given Sunday. ….or in this case, tomorrow.
3. Puebla should take Leagues Cup seriously to win prize pool, fix economic crisis
HRB: Puebla has yet to advance to the knockout stages of Leagues Cup, losing three games and drawing one in the past two years. Do you think Puebla will take the tournament seriously this season?
Andrew Leigh
FV: I do not think Puebla does not take this or any international tournament lightly, as this is one of the best ways the team can resolve its cash flow crisis. Participating and being tracsendent in events like these, can generate millions of dollars to a team’s bottom line. Not to mention that these tournaments constitute a showcase window to the few players that might have something to show and create interest in the team.
4. The X-Factor: The fans, NYCFC downplaying Puebla and refereeing
HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?
FV: Puebla’s potential massive support of the United States's biggest community from Puebla. NYCFC not taking the opponent seriously, due to their mediocrity, and is tempted to use a B team, in order to give preference to the MLS competition. CONCACAF’s very bad and controversial refereeing.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
FV: I believe the game will be tighter than expected, and I can not say in all honesty who will win. Having said that, I believe that whoever achieves the three points on Tuesday will do so by no more than one goal.
