Enner Valencia (pictured) has scored 10 Liga MX goals for Tigres in fewer than 20 appearances. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, Mexico – Any time Enner Valencia is on the field, he is a threat to score.
Defenses in Liga MX are fully aware of his capabilities. All you have to do is trace back to the 2014 Clausura when the forward led the league in scoring with 12 goals while playing for Pachuca.
After leaving the Tuzos in the summer of 2014 and having spells in English football with West Ham United and Everton, Valencia returned to Liga MX prior to the 2017 Apertura, scoring 12 goals in 21 matches to help Tigres capture its sixth crown.
For the unselfish Valencia, individual honors, though, individual recognition is secondary.
“I would like it [being the scoring leader],” said the Ecuador international, continuing, “but I first think about the team, what we can do to strengthen ourselves as a team, what we can do to have the strength that we had at the end of last season and later the goals themselves will come.”
Valencia can’t help but smile when he looks around during Tigres’ training sessions. From back to front there is ample talent and depth. Those are just some of the reasons why he has fit into the squad so seamlessly.
“I have felt good,” Valencia finished. “I arrived to an incredible team that took me in well. I feel much better. Like I always say, to play with the class of players that we have, who know what we are playing for, it makes things easier.”
