América de Cali Plots 2026 Rebuild After Disappointing 2025 Season
Following a year that fell short of expectations, América de Cali is actively reshaping its roster and strategic approach with a focused eye on the 2026 season. The club is balancing ongoing training sessions at its Cascajal headquarters with crucial management decisions aimed at securing key reinforcements.
The “scarlet eleventh” concluded 2025 without securing any titles, failing to reach the championship finals in the League, suffering elimination in the Colombia Cup, and exiting the South American Cup earlier than anticipated. This underwhelming performance has spurred both coach David González and the club’s directors to prioritize player acquisition and a thorough squad evaluation.
A significant roster overhaul is already underway. In addition to previously announced departures including Peruvian Luis Ramos, Uruguayan goalkeeper Santiago Silva, and Venezuelans Joel Graterol, Sebastián Navarro, Luis Paz, Yerson Candelo, Daniel Bocanegra, and Manuel Caicedo, three additional players are slated to leave the club.
The future of Andrés Roa, Andrés Tello, and Nicolás Hernández remains uncertain, contingent on contractual clauses. “They fell short of expectations,” González stated during an appearance on the ‘Smoke Free Zone’ program. He further elaborated on the situation of Tello and Hernández, noting, “Tello did not play a minute and that is worrying, and Hernández was in home runs, contributing things, but we have to wait.”
Injuries significantly hampered the performance of key defender Éder Álvarez Balanta throughout 2025. Despite speculation regarding his future, González has affirmed his intention to include Balanta in the team’s plans for 2026.
González emphasized the collaborative nature of the recruitment process, acknowledging the complexities involved in securing desired players. “People imagine that I come to a meeting and ask this and the other, we are trying to find the best in consensus, fluid communication to have the best options,” he explained.
The club is reportedly in contact with Venezuelan striker Darwin Machis, a player with experience in European football. “Yes, we have spoken with Machis, we know him, we know that he played in Europe and they have given us recommendations,” González confirmed.
América de Cali will continue training for one more week before granting players a vacation period. They are scheduled to return in early January to finalize preparations for their 2026 League campaign.
