América comes up winless in US friendlies, but gets Malagón, Veiga and Cervantes back

While Liga MX paused for the FIFA date, things were far from quiet at Coapa. América traveled to the United States to play a pair of friendlies, facing none other than Cruz Azul and Chivas, and even though the results didn't go their way (they couldn't win either match), Guillermo Almada's squad heads back to Mexico with plenty to celebrate.

The missing reinforcements finally got their minutes

Santiago Ramos Mingo and Santiago Bueno still haven't debuted in the league, but they've already crossed off playing in América's colors. Both center backs started in both preparation matches and turned in solid performances, no small thing considering these were their first minutes with the club.

The competition at the back of the defense is shaping up to be interesting. Once Israel Reyes returns from the Mexican national team, he's expected to be untouchable for Almada, which means Ramos Mingo and Bueno will be left fighting head to head for the other spot in the back line.

Malagón made saves again after seven months

If there's one name generating excitement at Coapa, it's Luis Ángel Malagón. After nearly seven months sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury, the goalkeeper finally returned to defend América's net. And he did it well against Cruz Azul, keeping a clean sheet. Against Chivas the story was different, with a couple of goals conceded, but that was beside the point.

What really mattered was something else entirely: confirming that "Pato" has overcome the injury and is on his way back to the form that made him a starter. Right now that spot belongs to Rodolfo Cota, but Malagón has already started making his case to reclaim it.

Veiga and Cervantes also showed up

The friendlies also gave Raphael Veiga and Alan Cervantes, both nursing physical issues, a chance to reappear. Cervantes' case drew particular attention, since the Mexican midfielder had to withdraw from the national team call-up precisely because of a muscle problem.

Neither player saw action against Cruz Azul, but both logged the final 15 minutes against Chivas. That detail matters: it confirms both will be available this coming weekend, when América hosts Rayados in a special match, as the Eagles celebrate their 110th anniversary.

Between debuts, returns and tests passed, Almada takes away more from these friendlies than the final scores suggest. With Malagón building back his rhythm, the new center backs already battle tested and the injured players back in the fold, América arrives with fresh pieces just in time for its anniversary date.