Guillermo Ochoa Out 4-6 Weeks for Club América

Club América announced yesterday afternoon that starting shot-stopper Guillermo Ochoa will spend some time on the treatment table with a muscle injury in his left big toe. “Memo” was set to start last weekend’s Clásico Joven but pulled out before kick-off after reporting discomfort in his left leg. Backup netminder Oscar Jiménez performed capably in the former Málaga keeper’s stead, making seven saves to preserve a clean sheet for the 13-time champions.

Despite Jiménez’s sterling showing, Ochoa’s injury is bad news for Miguel Herrera heading into the business end of the season. The liguilla looms on the horizon, and the América academy product could come back short of match practice before that decisive phase.

Ochoa’s injury could also open up a rift between the Mexican National Team and one of the country’s most powerful clubs. Herrera was furious in his post-match press conference over the midweek training camp that Gerardo Martino and his staff held with Liga MX-based players, citing it as the cause of Ochoa’s toe problem.