Xelajú MC received good news ahead of the Clausura 2026 semifinals. The Disciplinary Body of the National League reduced the sanction of Jesús “Chucho” López from two games to one, which enables the midfielder to be available in the first leg of the semifinals against Comunicaciones that will be played this Thursday at the Cementos Progreso Stadium.
The reduction of the sanction is an important relief for coach Roberto Hernández, who had already been dealing with several sensitive losses in the superchido squad ahead of the most important phase of the tournament. The news comes at the best time for Xelajú, which will face the semifinals with significant limitations in goal after the injury of Rubén Darío Silva due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and the loss of Nery Lobos due to a possible muscle tear that left him out of the match against Marquense.
Chucho López had been sent off in the first leg of the quarterfinals against Marquense in the 32nd minute for a foul that cost him a direct red card, and the club had announced that it would seek to appeal the sanction to reduce it.. The appeal was successful and the midfielder will be available for the first leg against Comunicaciones, which is good news for a Xelajú team that reaches the semifinals as the leader of Clausura 2026 with 39 points and with the goal of reaching the final and conquering the eighth moon in its history.
Get off in Xelajú
Roberto Hernández has shown throughout Clausura 2026 that his team is resilient and capable of overcoming any setback. Despite the losses in the goal and the discomfort of Elmer Cardoza and Kevin Ruiz, the Superchivos have maintained their competitive level and now recover an important piece in the midfield to face the series against Comunicaciones with greater resources.
Chucho López’s recovery is especially valuable considering the context in which Xelajú reaches the semifinals. Coach Roberto Hernández had pointed out that the expulsion of the midfielder in the first leg against Marquense complicated their tactical approach, so his return gives important options back to the superchivo scheme for the duel against Cremas at the Cementos Progreso.
The first leg of the semifinals between Comunicaciones and Xelajú MC will be played this Thursday, May 7 at 8:00 PM at the Cementos Progreso Stadium, with the second leg scheduled for Sunday the 10th at the Mario Camposeco Stadium in Quetzaltenango.