🐜🐐 How far can Hormiga Gonzalez go?

And will he take Chivas with him? PLUS An overwhelmed mascot debut + more from LMX & the Conca-catch-up!

No forward finishes every chance, but Hormiga Gonzalez still looked stunned at his second-minute miss in the Clásico Nacional.

It’s a goal the Chivas forward has finished off many times in the past year. Richy Ledezma surged forward up the right side, freed by a scooped ball from Robeto Alvarado, and put in a cross that Gonzalez got a foot on. But instead of celebrating like he did a dozen times on the way to a share of the top scorer crown in the Apertura, he sent it high.

What was going through his mind? “Nothing,” he told Telemundo after the match. “I saw what happened. When you miss a pass or people are making fun of you, it’s just about the next play, the next play.

“There are a lot of chances, and if I keep moving well, keep asking for it from my teammates, I’m going to get another. That’s how it goes. Play to play.”

And sure enough.

In the 41st minute, Efrain Alvarez’s corner kick was headed toward the back post by Diego Campillo. There, Hormiga was lurking, and he wasn’t going to let another opportunity go by. After skipping past América center back Sebastian Caceres, Gonzalez lifted his left foot to direct the ball in. Then, he was off to celebrate by doing the robot.

It’s his fifth goal of the season, putting him one behind current leader Joao Pedro. But more importantly for Chivas, Gonzalez is helping to keep them at the top of the table. The rivalry win is the sixth victory in six attempts for Chivas, who stayed five points clear at the top of the table.

After languishing on the bench behind veterans like Alan Pulido and Chicharito, Gonzalez has made the most of his opportunities, becoming a star in Guadalajara.

In public, Gonzalez paints a picture in sharp contrast to many Chivas stars of the past.

He often is spotted at a taqueria near the Chivas stadium with friends or family after a match. Recently, though, it was clarified that he rarely indulges, such is his strict adherence to his nutritional plan.

Asked Saturday what he’d do after the game, he said it depended on what his dad - a professional player who went into coaching - had planned.

“My brother is here. Maybe I’ll play FIFA with him or something,” Gonzalez said.

Not exactly a night on the town celebrating with drinks and dancing, but a night the 22-year-old seems like he enjoyed.

Hormiga Gonzalez celebrates his goal in the Clasico Nacional with Efrain Alvarez and Fernando Gonzalez. (Photo by Simon Barber/Getty Images)

After all, the Clásico victory is one to savor and Chivas are on top of the league, Gonzalez is clear about the ambitions he and his teammates have.

“We know we’re still not the best. We haven’t finished anything off yet. Our goal still isn’t reached,” he said. “We’ve got to keep going game by game and day by day.”

There will be other challenges before a title comes. Cruz Azul is picking up steam. Defending champion Toluca remains undefeated. And América should be stronger when Alejandro Zendejas returns to full fitness and the club’s new signings get acclimated.

🦅 Will Club América transition to crisis or to reinvention?

Yet, Chivas are the overwhelming title favorite. That’s thanks to the injection of quality the team, which fields only Mexican players, has gotten from new recruits from the U.S. and beyond. It’s thanks to Gabriel Milito’s bold system in which the team presses aggressively, the wingbacks get forward eagerly and the defense sometimes must scramble to stop traffic coming the other way.

“The win is everyone’s, honestly. I just finish it off, which is the job I’m supposed to do, but the effort is from everybody - from Tala (Rangel, the goalkeeper), Cotorro (Gonzaez), Efra, it’s everyone,” Gonzalez told the Amazon Prime broadcast. “You wouldn’t if the goals if it weren’t for my teammates.”

Cruelly, Gonzalez may not be there to enjoy those extra tacos and maybe a few beverages after the tournament if Chivas is able to lift the trophy.