Fall from grace

Two years ago, Jaime Lozano was one of the top players in Mexico. A set-piece specialist, Lozano scored a pair of goals for Mexico during a World Cup qualifying win in Costa Rica in 2005. It was just the latest stellar performances for Lozano. He even made it on the cover of a video game.

On Monday, he was essentially cut by Tigres. Lozano had played in each of the first 10 games of the season, though had only started three games. He was sent to the Tigres B, who has started the second-division Apertura at a raging 1-5-3 pace. Lozano will easily be the most accomplished player on the roster, if he stays there of course. I have to believe, no matter how far he's fallen, some other first division team would be interested in his services.

Lozano actually started declining in the summer of 2005. He was a first-choice player entering the 2005 Confederations Cup but by the end of the tournament was on the pine. He was brought into El Tri for the final 26-player camp ahead of Germany 2006 but was one of three players cut from the World Cup roster.

I can't say the same for Walter Gaitan. At one point also one of the top players in Mexico, Gaitan quit on Monday. He walked out on his club for what the club called personal matters.

At 2-6-2, Tigres' pathetic season has been outdone only by the horrendous campaign Atlas is having. For those keeping track, I picked Tigres to win the Mexican league this season. Yes, my genius shining through. I don't remember who my MLS Cup picks were... I may have picked Toronto-Real Salt Lake... not sure.