Club América Welcomes Three World Cup Returnees to Coapa Training

World Cup Returnees Resume Training at Coapa

The Club América squad is undergoing a significant transition as the 2026 Apertura tournament approaches. Following the conclusion of their respective international campaigns, Israel Reyes, Sebastián Cáceres, and Brian Rodríguez reported to the team’s Coapa facility this past Monday. These players are the first of the club’s international contingent to integrate into the tactical system of new head coach Guillermo Almada, who took the helm following the departure of André Jardine.

Upon their return, the three elements did not immediately join full-squad sessions. Instead, the coaching staff implemented a regimen of regenerative exercises and physical evaluations. The objective of the technical staff is to assess the conditions of the players following several weeks of concentration, travel, and international activity before integrating them fully into the scheme of Guillermo Almada.

The return of the Uruguayan duo, Cáceres and Rodríguez, followed the schedule established by the club after their participation in the World Cup, which saw Uruguay suffer an early elimination. Israel Reyes, the sole representative of the Mexican National Team from the club, was originally authorized to report on July 20, but he elected to forfeit a portion of his vacation time to join the training sessions early. By doing so, Reyes aims to gain time in his adaptation to the methodology of Almada and begin the work process for the upcoming season.

Alejandro Zendejas and the Status of the Final Participant

While three players have returned, the club remains without Alejandro Zendejas. The winger, who represented the United States under Mauricio Pochettino, is the only participant from the club who has yet to report to Coapa. The club granted him additional days of rest to recover following his participation in the international tournament.

Performance Context

The players return to Coapa with varying levels of experience from the 2026 World Cup:

• Israel Reyes: The defender played in four of Mexico’s five matches, starting in two of them and accumulating 200 minutes of total play time. In the collective, his participation ended after a 3-2 loss.
• Sebastián Cáceres and Brian Rodríguez: The two Uruguayan players were called up by Marcelo Bielsa, though they did not have a successful run in the summer tournament due to Uruguay’s early exit.

Tactical Integration and Transfer Speculation

The return of these players provides a boost to Guillermo Almada, who has been conducting the preseason while managing a roster impacted by international absences. For Israel Reyes, the return to training effectively addresses recent speculation regarding his future. While various reports previously linked the defender to a move to AS Roma in Italy—with some journalists claiming he had already said goodbye to the plantel—no formal offers have materialized. Consequently, the defender is set to continue with the squad under the direction of Almada.

Despite the return of these figures, the team is currently preparing for its Apertura 2026 debut against the Gallos Blancos de Querétaro at La Corregidora. The club has also officially confirmed the arrival of forward Rodrigo Aguirre, formerly of Monterrey. His addition is intended to provide competition for a position currently held by Henry Martín. According to various sports media outlets, this internal competition is viewed as a positive element that elevates the level and commitment of the players, contributing to the overall performance of the club.

Management and Market Challenges

While the squad integrates its returning players, the club’s broader management of the transfer market has been a subject of criticism. Santiago Baños, the sports president of the club, has faced scrutiny from the fan base regarding the current transfer window. According to reporting by Jorge Dennis on May 26, 2026, the club has remained on the sidelines regarding major signings, and several targets that appeared to be approaching Coapa ultimately moved to other clubs. The administration continues to face pressure to secure reinforcements to ensure a solid performance in the present campaign.

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