Santos Laguna’s head coach, Francisco Rodríguez, announced plans to rotate his lineup ahead of their Leagues Cup match against the Seattle Sounders scheduled for Sunday night. This decision comes after a tightly packed schedule that sees the team playing multiple matches within a span of nine days.
During a press conference on Saturday, Rodríguez explained that he would be including players who have not seen much starting time in Liga MX. This strategy was evident in their recent match against the Colorado Rapids, where he opted to start players like Diego Medina and Ronaldo Prieto. He indicated that further changes could be expected for the upcoming match.
Acknowledging the formidable nature of the Sounders, who recently thrashed Cruz Azul 7-0, Rodríguez expressed respect for the American team and emphasized the challenge ahead: “It’s a rival that does things very well. Scoring seven goals against Cruz Azul is no easy feat. We’ll see how we can put together a good match and compete.”
Reflecting on his debut experience in the Leagues Cup against MLS teams, Rodríguez described the tournament as intriguing. “Playing against quality clubs is a different experience. There are no excuses or complaints; we want the fans to enjoy. It’s an honor for us, and we must compete. I wish we were better prepared, but in the end, it’s about playing at a high level,” he stated.
Rodríguez highlighted that Santos Laguna values teamwork over star players. He added that all his players need to train intensely to showcase their abilities: “The other day we lost, and some who were starters didn’t play, but I’m trying to give everyone an opportunity to show their best level. Tomorrow (Sunday) I will aim to put forth a competitive effort to win without experimenting.”
In a show of confidence, player Ramiro Sordo conveyed that the team remains mentally strong despite the recent loss in Denver. He noted that the match was evenly contested, with the outcome affected by a few key moments. Sordo expressed optimism about achieving a positive result against Seattle, stating, “Our attitude must not change. We need to trust, move forward, and progress. We know there’s pressure, but securing a win will allow us to keep aspiring to advance in the tournament.”
This positive outlook from both the coach and players suggests that Santos Laguna is focused on overcoming recent challenges and aims to deliver a strong performance in their upcoming match.