Puebla says goodbye to Santiago Ormeño, a key defender, after a year without playing in Liga MX. The 31-year-old left-back leaves the club after not being considered in the 2025-26 season, where Puebla sits with 13 points (3 wins, 4 draws, 10 losses) and a defensive record of 26 goals conceded—the worst in the table. His departure adds to the uncertainty for a team 23 points behind UNAM’s Pumas and fighting to avoid relegation.

Why is Ormeño leaving without playing?

The left-back didn’t feature in a single official match for Puebla this season. Reports suggest his contract expired without renewal, and his last active team before this stretch was Chivas, where he also struggled for minutes. The lack of game time led him to seek opportunities abroad, likely in lower-tier Mexican or Central American leagues where his experience could be more valuable.

How does his exit impact Puebla?

Ormeño was an experienced option at left-back, though his form had declined in recent years. With 10 losses in 17 games and a current streak of 5 straight defeats (LLLLD), Puebla already lacks depth in that position. Manager Ricardo Ferretti must now urgently find a replacement before the August 7th away match against Portland Timbers—a critical game for survival.

What’s next for Puebla in the standings?

The team holds last place in Liga MX, 23 points behind the league leaders, and has scored just 13 goals—the fewest in the tournament. Their defense, with 26 goals conceded, is the weakest link. Ferretti will need to decide whether to bet on young players or sign an experienced defender to avoid relegation, which now looks increasingly likely if improvements aren’t made quickly.

Who could replace him?

In the local market, names like Jorge Sánchez (ex-Toluca) or Jesús Gallardo (ex-Monterrey) have been mentioned as affordable options. However, Puebla has shown no movement in the left-back position, increasing the risk that the team continues without a solution in the short term. The next fixture against Portland will be the first real test of how the defense fares without Ormeño.