For my goal of the weekend I take you to the first week of action in the newly rebranded Liga Mx. Check out this outside of the box strike from Toluca's Juan Carlos Cacho. It would prove to be the game winner.
Showing posts with label Mexico Primera Division. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico Primera Division. Show all posts
Monday, July 23, 2012
Mexico Match Thoughts: Toluca vs, Chivas de Guadalajara
Toluca's Juan Carlos Cacho celebrates his first goal of the season (AP Photo)
To say that Chivas disappointed in last year's Clausura is a bit of an understatement. Going winless in their last 5 in domestic league play, they made some high profile changes in the off-season. They brought in former Melbourne Heart manager John Van't Schip to take the helm of the club, and they added two high profile players, Luis Perez and Rafael Marquez Lugo.
Toluca didn't seem to care a lick about this though, and showed it very early in the match. In the very first minute midfielder Zinha smacked a shot on target that had to be saved by Luis Michel for Chivas. His respite didn't last long though. In the second minute, Chivas turned the ball over in the midfield and Toluca forward Carlos Esquivel came charging toward the goal. He unleashed a drive toward the inside of the near post, and Michel dove over it, totally missing the ball as it went into the net and Toluca took a 1-0 lead.
Conceding seemed to wake Chivas up a bit, and they started to control the ball. Their first chance came on 16 minutes as Ernesto Perez set up for a direct free kick outside of the penalty arc. Unfortunately for the Goats, his shot sailed high and failed to trouble the 'keeper.
Toluca would manage to tack on another goal before the half as well. In the 32nd minute, Lucas Silva played Juan Carlos Cacho in behind the rather high Chivas back line. The Toluca attacker then slammed a shot toward the near post from outside of the area. Michel dove to his right, and managed to get a hand to it, but it wasn't enough to turn the shot away as Toluca took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Chivas largely took control of the match in the second half, and slowly started to zero in on the Toluca goal. In the 62nd minute the aforementioned Rafa Marquez Lugo got a decent look from close range, but his shot was from a rather tough angle, and he missed the target. Lugo wasn't done though. In the 67th minute he unleashed another shot that just missed the far post. Finally in the 68th he took a ball from Erick Torres and slotted home his first goal in a Chivas kit to make it 2-1.
That was about all the Goats could manage though. In the 79th minute, Jesus Sanchez tried his luck at an equalizer, but Toluca 'keeper Alfredo Talavera was up to the task, saving the shot and preserving the 2-1 win for Toluca at home.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Congratulations to Santos Laguna: 2012 Mexican Clausura Champions
Santos Laguna hoists the trophy as 2012 Mexican Clausura Champions
The Puddle would like to extend congratulations to Santos Laguna, who beat 2 time defending CONCACAF Champions Monterrey 3-2 over two legs to claim the 2012 Mexican Clausura title. The title is their 4th overall in the Mexican Primera Division..
The win is huge for the Mexican side founded in 1983. Coming into this final, they had been to 3 of the last 4 finals in Mexico, losing them all. They also lost to Monterrey in the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League last month. This should be, and deserves to be, very sweet for the Torreon side.
The first leg was played in Monterrey earlier this week and ended in a 1-1 draw. Santos won last night's 2nd leg in Torreon 2-1 with goals from Oribe Peralta and Daniel Luduena. Monterrey manager Victor Manuel Vucetich suffered his first ever loss in a final.. His stats include 5 Mexico Primera titles and the 2 CONCACAF titles.
Last night was all about Santos though, and I hope the team and their supporters enjoy it!
Friday, May 18, 2012
Puddle's Goal of the Midweek: Oribe Peralta En La Gran Final
I have to share this gorgeous goal with all of you. My choice comes from the Mexican Clausura final, first leg. In the 69th minute Oribe Peralta got on the end of a long ball then drove home this gorgeous strike.
Mexico Match Thoughts: La Gran Final, Leg 1
I don't think anyone that follows Mexican soccer was really surprised to see these two clubs meet in the Clausura final. Both of these sides have been on fire, Monterrey especially since Humberto Suazo decided he was going to stick around. This is also a rematch of the CONCACAF Champions League final from this year, in which Monterrey beat Santos to claim it's second consecutive CONCACAF crown.
Monterrey opened the match in good form, controlling possession and working their way into the Santos area. César Delgado forced a nice save out of Santos in the 7th minute as Monterrey knocked on the door. Suazo hit the ensuing corner but Walter Ayovi's shot went over the bar.
After the first ten minutes or so, Santos started to get their legs into the match and threaten the Monterrey area. Both Daniel Ludueña and Oribe Peralta took shots early, but neither of them could find the target. In the 30th minute Marc Crosas forced the first save out of Jonathan Orozco, but the Monterrey keeper parried it for a corner. Santos sent the cross in on the corner and Felipe Baloy rose and headed the ball into the net. However Baloy was whistled for a foul on the play and the goal was called back. It wasn't the last mistake he would make, but the half ended 0-0.
Monterrey came out the stronger of the two sides in the second half, and began to get looks at goal. Suazo sent shots high in both the 48th and 51st minutes. Los Rayados grew more and more frustrated, and every minute that went by, Santos became more confident.
Santos began to knock on the door again in the 56th minute when Ludueña cracked the crossbar from distance. Orozco didn't have much time to catch his breath though. In the 69th minute Peralta got on the end of a 50 meter pass from Crosas. With one deft touch he brought the ball down, settled it, and evaded the Monterrey defender. He then turned and smacked the ball past a stunned Orozco to make it 0-1 to Santos and give them the all important away goal.
Monterrey continued to press the issue, but as the match went into stoppage time, a Santos error gifted Monterrey the draw. In the third minute of stoppage time Baloy went to ground in the area on Suazo. The nasty tackle came in from behind and tripped up the Monterrey attacker, despite the fact that he was moving away from goal. The referee rightly awarded a penalty kick, which Suazo promptly scored to tie the match 1-1 at full time.
The second leg will be Sunday in Torreon, and I suppose Santos will be happy with the away goal. However, the Suazo PK could loom large as I have a hard time thinking that Santos is gonna hang a clean sheet on the CONCACAF champs in the next leg either.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Puddle's Goal of the Weekend: Jackson Martinez GOLAZO!
My goal of the weekend comes to us from the Mexico Primera Division. In the 78th minute of Jaguares' match against Toluca, Jackson Martinez belted this GOLAZO into the top corner. Unfortunately it wasn't enough as Toluca took the match 3-1.
Mexico Match Thoughts: Estudiantes vs. Atlante
Most of the Primera Division's Friday night specials have been kind of boring affairs of late. When I saw that Estudiantes Tecos was going to be featuring in the most recent one, well I wasn't excited for anything different. Thankfully, I was wrong.
I needed to be wrong for Tecos' sake. To say they are mired in a relegation battle would be a bit of an understatement. They're sitting on the bottom of the coefficient table at 1.0217. The next closest is Atlas at 1.o543. Meanwhile, the most recently promoted squad, Tijuana is sitting in what could almost be considered mid-table comfort at 1.2500. Tecos has some work to do.
They haven't played a real positive brand of football in the few matches I've seen of theirs this year, but that changed against Atlante. Both sides actually came out quite well. Estudiantes had the better early chances though, with Fernando Gutierrez hitting a strike just wide of the target on 2 minutes. In the 5th minute they earned a chance off of a corner kick, but Juan Leano's header went high.
Atlante responded though,. In the 10th minute they earned a free kick at a good distance. Estudiantes gave up a number of these in this match. However, Osvaldo Martinez couldn't do much with this one except put it over the bar.
Then the goals started. In the 15th minute Edgar Solis sent a cross in low to Eduardo Lillingston in front of goal. The Tecos striker calmly tapped the ball into the net to make it 1-0 to Estudiantes. It was a great cross and a professional finish.
Again Atlante responded though as the action started to go end to end. They got their break through in the 25th minute off the foot of Michael Arroyo Mina. The forward found himself unmarked just outside of the top of the area and blasted a shot home to the far post to make it 1-1.
The tie didn't last long. In the 32nd minute Tecos struck back. Solis sent in a corner and this time Leano did not miss with his header. Sometimes I think the corner kick is a lost art in Mexico, but not this time, as Leano's well placed ball made it 2-1 to Tecos going into half time.
There were no goals in the second half, but the action continued to go end to end and chances abounded. Mina again proved dangerous for Atlante, hunting the equalizer early on in the second half. He took a free kick that went high in the 50th, and forced a save out of Christian Martinez in the 53rd.
However, Atlante had an even better chance later on. In the 60th minute Juan Cuevas sent in a gorgeous shot that looked to surely be the equalizer, but Martinez pulled a save of the week candidate out of his back pocket and parried the shot to preserve the lead. He would earn man of the match honors.
Estudiantes had a golden chance to put the match away in the 87th minute as well. Rodrigo Ruiz put in a shot that beat everybody, including the Atlante 'keeper, but Cuevas stormed toward the goal and just managed to clear the ball off the line. Good stuff, but in the end, Estudiantes wouldn't need it, and they held on for a crucial victory, 2-1.
I needed to be wrong for Tecos' sake. To say they are mired in a relegation battle would be a bit of an understatement. They're sitting on the bottom of the coefficient table at 1.0217. The next closest is Atlas at 1.o543. Meanwhile, the most recently promoted squad, Tijuana is sitting in what could almost be considered mid-table comfort at 1.2500. Tecos has some work to do.
They haven't played a real positive brand of football in the few matches I've seen of theirs this year, but that changed against Atlante. Both sides actually came out quite well. Estudiantes had the better early chances though, with Fernando Gutierrez hitting a strike just wide of the target on 2 minutes. In the 5th minute they earned a chance off of a corner kick, but Juan Leano's header went high.
Atlante responded though,. In the 10th minute they earned a free kick at a good distance. Estudiantes gave up a number of these in this match. However, Osvaldo Martinez couldn't do much with this one except put it over the bar.
Then the goals started. In the 15th minute Edgar Solis sent a cross in low to Eduardo Lillingston in front of goal. The Tecos striker calmly tapped the ball into the net to make it 1-0 to Estudiantes. It was a great cross and a professional finish.
Again Atlante responded though as the action started to go end to end. They got their break through in the 25th minute off the foot of Michael Arroyo Mina. The forward found himself unmarked just outside of the top of the area and blasted a shot home to the far post to make it 1-1.
The tie didn't last long. In the 32nd minute Tecos struck back. Solis sent in a corner and this time Leano did not miss with his header. Sometimes I think the corner kick is a lost art in Mexico, but not this time, as Leano's well placed ball made it 2-1 to Tecos going into half time.
There were no goals in the second half, but the action continued to go end to end and chances abounded. Mina again proved dangerous for Atlante, hunting the equalizer early on in the second half. He took a free kick that went high in the 50th, and forced a save out of Christian Martinez in the 53rd.
However, Atlante had an even better chance later on. In the 60th minute Juan Cuevas sent in a gorgeous shot that looked to surely be the equalizer, but Martinez pulled a save of the week candidate out of his back pocket and parried the shot to preserve the lead. He would earn man of the match honors.
Estudiantes had a golden chance to put the match away in the 87th minute as well. Rodrigo Ruiz put in a shot that beat everybody, including the Atlante 'keeper, but Cuevas stormed toward the goal and just managed to clear the ball off the line. Good stuff, but in the end, Estudiantes wouldn't need it, and they held on for a crucial victory, 2-1.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Mexico Match Thoughts: Morelia vs. Santos
I think I use the phrase, "a tale of two halves" way too much on this blog. In fact, I know I do. However there is really no other way to describe this match. The first half had chances and was entertaining. The second half was a foul fest and total mound of garbage.
Both teams came out of the gate quite quickly, and you would have thought Santos actually came to play. You'd be wrong though. Cristian Suarez hammered a ball over the bar in the 2nd minute, but in the end, it would be one of the few chances Santos would have all match long.
Morelia totally took over from there, They monopolized possession and chances, of which they created quite a few. It was actually pretty fun to watch, except for the fact that you got the impression that Santos was just a total shower, and they wished they were someplace else. Lazy marking, lazy passing, lazy defense, and Morelia took advantage.
The first goal came on 23 minutes as Edgar Lugo took a ball that almost went over the end line for a goal kick and passed it back into the area. It ended up at the feet of Miguel Sabah, who blasted it by the 'keeper to make it 1-0. Sabah was pretty much unmarked. Just two minutes later, Sabah, who was a beast all match long, struck again. This time he took a down field pass from Christian Valdez and beat a stunned Sanchez to score again and make it 2-0.
Finally Santos woke up for the first and only time in the match after going down 2-0. They got their only goal of the game in the 29th as Suarez put a centering pass into the area. It appeared to go off of the foot of Carlos Quintero and into the goal to make it 2-1. Later the announcers questioned that it might have come off of the Morelia defender, though as of the end of the match it was still credited to Quintero. At any rate the score at the half was 2-1.
Santos' lazy style became infectious in the second half. Both teams played an unspirited brand of football marked by hard, pointless fouls, crappy passing, and diving all over the pitch. Honestly, the quality of tackles from both sides made MLS look like Italy.
In the end, Morelia tacked on a late goal as Edgar Lugo scored on a break for Morelia in the first minute of stoppage time to make the full time result 3-1 to Morelia.
Both teams came out of the gate quite quickly, and you would have thought Santos actually came to play. You'd be wrong though. Cristian Suarez hammered a ball over the bar in the 2nd minute, but in the end, it would be one of the few chances Santos would have all match long.
Morelia totally took over from there, They monopolized possession and chances, of which they created quite a few. It was actually pretty fun to watch, except for the fact that you got the impression that Santos was just a total shower, and they wished they were someplace else. Lazy marking, lazy passing, lazy defense, and Morelia took advantage.
The first goal came on 23 minutes as Edgar Lugo took a ball that almost went over the end line for a goal kick and passed it back into the area. It ended up at the feet of Miguel Sabah, who blasted it by the 'keeper to make it 1-0. Sabah was pretty much unmarked. Just two minutes later, Sabah, who was a beast all match long, struck again. This time he took a down field pass from Christian Valdez and beat a stunned Sanchez to score again and make it 2-0.
Finally Santos woke up for the first and only time in the match after going down 2-0. They got their only goal of the game in the 29th as Suarez put a centering pass into the area. It appeared to go off of the foot of Carlos Quintero and into the goal to make it 2-1. Later the announcers questioned that it might have come off of the Morelia defender, though as of the end of the match it was still credited to Quintero. At any rate the score at the half was 2-1.
Santos' lazy style became infectious in the second half. Both teams played an unspirited brand of football marked by hard, pointless fouls, crappy passing, and diving all over the pitch. Honestly, the quality of tackles from both sides made MLS look like Italy.
In the end, Morelia tacked on a late goal as Edgar Lugo scored on a break for Morelia in the first minute of stoppage time to make the full time result 3-1 to Morelia.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Mexico Match Thoughts: Toluca vs. Pachuca
This was definitely was one of the better matches I've seen out of Mexico this year. Okay, well maybe not the best played, but it really was entertaining. I don't know all of the history of the Primera Division that well, but it's certainly one of the best comebacks I've seen as a footy fan.
So why exactly did Pachuca have to execute such a comeback in the first place? It really was a nightmare start for the visitors. In fact I don't think I could say I've ever seen a worse start to a match. Toluca brought the ball into the area right off the kick off, and tried a cross. The ball deflected off of Pachuca defender Javier Munoz Mustafa and into the net to make it 1-0 after just 14 seconds. Damn.
Life didn't get any better for Pachuca in the early going either. After what was to happen in the 9th minute, Mustafa probably just wished he could just go back to bed. He brought down Toluca's Ivan Alonso in the box to concede a PK. Oops. Alonso then in turn iced the spot kick to make it 2-0 to Toluca on 11 minutes.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Pachuca, it did. In the 16th minute Nestor Calderon ended up with the ball after a short corner. He blasted it into the top corner of the far post to make it 3-0. There was absolutely nothing the 'keeper could do about it. At least that goal wasn't self inflicted though.
It looked like the route was on, and Toluca continued to go through the rest of the first half controlling possession, but Pachuca had no intention of going away. Their weapon of choice to get back into the match was the counter attack. They sprung the first in the 36th minute as Mauro Cejas streaked into the Toluca eighteen and slid the ball past the 'keeper to make it 3-1.
Still, Toluca didn't panic. The thought had to be to get into the half without giving up another goal and regroup. Again, Pachuca had other ideas. They struck on another counter in the 41st minute as Daniel Arguello nailed a GOLAZO from the top of the box into the top of the net to make it 3-2 going into the interval.
The second half had a very different tone, and Pachuca was in charge, despite being down a goal. Toluca just looked like they had completely fallen out of a match they once led by three goals. The equalizer finally came in the 64th minute when Marco Bueno Ontiveros knocked in a cross off of his foot to make it 3-3.
Toluca gained a little life after that, but never really threatened to take the 3 points back. Their best chance came in the 69th minute as Esquivel forced a save out of the 'keeper, but that was about all Toluca could manage.
The match went into stoppage time and looked to be headed for a certain draw, but Pachuca took the chance to seize the three points late. In the 1st minute of added time, Ontiveros broke free and got one on one with Toluca keeper Alfredo Talavera. Talavera made a diving stab for the ball near the top of the area, but brought down Ontiveros in the process, conceding a PK. It was the right call, and Talavera really didn't put up much of a fight. In the end, Cejas stepped up and converted the penalty to give Pachuca a 3-4 win. All in all a thrilling conclusion to an entertaining if sloppy match.
So why exactly did Pachuca have to execute such a comeback in the first place? It really was a nightmare start for the visitors. In fact I don't think I could say I've ever seen a worse start to a match. Toluca brought the ball into the area right off the kick off, and tried a cross. The ball deflected off of Pachuca defender Javier Munoz Mustafa and into the net to make it 1-0 after just 14 seconds. Damn.
Life didn't get any better for Pachuca in the early going either. After what was to happen in the 9th minute, Mustafa probably just wished he could just go back to bed. He brought down Toluca's Ivan Alonso in the box to concede a PK. Oops. Alonso then in turn iced the spot kick to make it 2-0 to Toluca on 11 minutes.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Pachuca, it did. In the 16th minute Nestor Calderon ended up with the ball after a short corner. He blasted it into the top corner of the far post to make it 3-0. There was absolutely nothing the 'keeper could do about it. At least that goal wasn't self inflicted though.
It looked like the route was on, and Toluca continued to go through the rest of the first half controlling possession, but Pachuca had no intention of going away. Their weapon of choice to get back into the match was the counter attack. They sprung the first in the 36th minute as Mauro Cejas streaked into the Toluca eighteen and slid the ball past the 'keeper to make it 3-1.
Still, Toluca didn't panic. The thought had to be to get into the half without giving up another goal and regroup. Again, Pachuca had other ideas. They struck on another counter in the 41st minute as Daniel Arguello nailed a GOLAZO from the top of the box into the top of the net to make it 3-2 going into the interval.
The second half had a very different tone, and Pachuca was in charge, despite being down a goal. Toluca just looked like they had completely fallen out of a match they once led by three goals. The equalizer finally came in the 64th minute when Marco Bueno Ontiveros knocked in a cross off of his foot to make it 3-3.
Toluca gained a little life after that, but never really threatened to take the 3 points back. Their best chance came in the 69th minute as Esquivel forced a save out of the 'keeper, but that was about all Toluca could manage.
The match went into stoppage time and looked to be headed for a certain draw, but Pachuca took the chance to seize the three points late. In the 1st minute of added time, Ontiveros broke free and got one on one with Toluca keeper Alfredo Talavera. Talavera made a diving stab for the ball near the top of the area, but brought down Ontiveros in the process, conceding a PK. It was the right call, and Talavera really didn't put up much of a fight. In the end, Cejas stepped up and converted the penalty to give Pachuca a 3-4 win. All in all a thrilling conclusion to an entertaining if sloppy match.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Mexico Match Blurb: Morelia vs. Monterrey
Another blurb will have to suffice for this match, as their just wasn't that much to report. Monterrey continues to disappoint a year on from winning the CONCACAF Champions League. I can't say as I feel for them, but that's just me as an RSL fan.
The first chances of the match actually went to Los Rayados, with Jesus De Nigris hitting a shot high in the 4th minute. Honestly, it was closer to row ZZZ than it was to the target though. In the 9th minute Angel Reyna had one of the better chances of the match, beating the 'keeper but knocking his shot off of the far post.
The best first chance for Morelia came in the 12th minute, but saw Joao Rojas' header go high of the mark. In the 42nd minute Jamie Lozano picked up a yellow that would come into play in the second half. The first half ended with the sides still level at 0-0.
Arguably the best chance of the match came not long after halftime for Morelia. Miguel Sabah had been a real bright spot for them, and in the 52nd minute he forced a nice save out of Jonathan Orozco to keep the match level. Unfortunately for Morelia, Jamie Lozano picked up his second yellow card in the 58th minute, earning him the red card and an early shower.
Still Monterrey, who is having a tough time scoring and dealing with some large off field issues, could not take advantage of the extra man. De Nigris came closest in the 66th minute, but again watched his shot sail just high of the crossbar. Humberto Suazo did not play, as he has expressed his desire to leave, and his absence really showed in Los Rayados rather tepid offensive showing. However, Morelia could not muster a goal either and the match finished 0-0.
The first chances of the match actually went to Los Rayados, with Jesus De Nigris hitting a shot high in the 4th minute. Honestly, it was closer to row ZZZ than it was to the target though. In the 9th minute Angel Reyna had one of the better chances of the match, beating the 'keeper but knocking his shot off of the far post.
The best first chance for Morelia came in the 12th minute, but saw Joao Rojas' header go high of the mark. In the 42nd minute Jamie Lozano picked up a yellow that would come into play in the second half. The first half ended with the sides still level at 0-0.
Arguably the best chance of the match came not long after halftime for Morelia. Miguel Sabah had been a real bright spot for them, and in the 52nd minute he forced a nice save out of Jonathan Orozco to keep the match level. Unfortunately for Morelia, Jamie Lozano picked up his second yellow card in the 58th minute, earning him the red card and an early shower.
Still Monterrey, who is having a tough time scoring and dealing with some large off field issues, could not take advantage of the extra man. De Nigris came closest in the 66th minute, but again watched his shot sail just high of the crossbar. Humberto Suazo did not play, as he has expressed his desire to leave, and his absence really showed in Los Rayados rather tepid offensive showing. However, Morelia could not muster a goal either and the match finished 0-0.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Mexico Match Thoughts: Atlas vs. Cruz Azul
My first look at Cruz Azul post-Omar Bravo acquisition was an interesting one, but a match against Atlas really isn't that big of a test. Though it's a little more difficult on the road. Atlas are getting to the point where they're playing for their top flight lives, so one might be excused for thinking they'd play with a little more fire. It just wasn't there.
They got themselves into some trouble right off the bat as Jorge Zamogilny was hit with a yellow card in the very first minute of play. However, they did go on to create a couple of half chances in the opening minutes. By they I mean Giancarlos Maldonando. He forced a save out of Jesus Corona in the 5th minute, and sent a shot wide in the 11th. It was pretty much downhill from there for Atlas.
After about 15 minutes, Cruz Azul started to get more active and slowly but surely took control of the match. Vela-Garrido put a nice shot on target to test the 'keeper in the 24th, and Omar Bravo made his presence felt in the next minute by sending in a shot that just drifted off target. Finally Azul broke the ice in the 40th as Fausto Pinto sent a gorgeous ball in that ended up going to Emanuel Villa, who easily slotted it home to put Cruz up 0-1 going into the interval.
Azul pretty much controlled the second half with the exception of one major mistake that almost cost them points. In the 77th minute Nestor Araujo blatantly brought down Atlas's Mauricio Romero in the box to concede a PK. Corona was given a yellow for arguing about it, but it really was obvious. Maldonado, who was about the only player to show up all match long for Atlas, stepped up but had his spot kick nicely saved by Corona to preserve the lead.
The tables were turned just a couple of minutes later as Luis Alatorre brought down Bravo in the Atlas area in the 80th to concede a PK to Azul, Christian Gimenez did not make Maldonado's mistake, and put the ball past the 'keeper to make it 0-2 to Azul, which was the full time result.
Certainly it wasn't the best performance from Cruz Azul, but aside from some anxious moments early and the Atlas penalty, it was pretty comfortable. Atlas is going to have to do a lot better to get on track.
They got themselves into some trouble right off the bat as Jorge Zamogilny was hit with a yellow card in the very first minute of play. However, they did go on to create a couple of half chances in the opening minutes. By they I mean Giancarlos Maldonando. He forced a save out of Jesus Corona in the 5th minute, and sent a shot wide in the 11th. It was pretty much downhill from there for Atlas.
After about 15 minutes, Cruz Azul started to get more active and slowly but surely took control of the match. Vela-Garrido put a nice shot on target to test the 'keeper in the 24th, and Omar Bravo made his presence felt in the next minute by sending in a shot that just drifted off target. Finally Azul broke the ice in the 40th as Fausto Pinto sent a gorgeous ball in that ended up going to Emanuel Villa, who easily slotted it home to put Cruz up 0-1 going into the interval.
Azul pretty much controlled the second half with the exception of one major mistake that almost cost them points. In the 77th minute Nestor Araujo blatantly brought down Atlas's Mauricio Romero in the box to concede a PK. Corona was given a yellow for arguing about it, but it really was obvious. Maldonado, who was about the only player to show up all match long for Atlas, stepped up but had his spot kick nicely saved by Corona to preserve the lead.
The tables were turned just a couple of minutes later as Luis Alatorre brought down Bravo in the Atlas area in the 80th to concede a PK to Azul, Christian Gimenez did not make Maldonado's mistake, and put the ball past the 'keeper to make it 0-2 to Azul, which was the full time result.
Certainly it wasn't the best performance from Cruz Azul, but aside from some anxious moments early and the Atlas penalty, it was pretty comfortable. Atlas is going to have to do a lot better to get on track.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Mexico Match Blurb: Queretaro vs. America
The 2012 Clausura continued it's kickoff weekend on Saturday with Queretaro vs. America at La Corregidora. The first half was mostly a fizzle, but America gave their supporters something to cheer about in the second after a disappointing Apertura campaign.
Both clubs traded half chances through the first half, but it was America who got the best chance. In the 25th Queretaro conceded a PK. Looked pretty much like yet another dive in a Primera Division match to me, but what can you do? Cristian Benitez stepped up and scored the PK, but the referee whistled for a retry. On the second kick, 'keeper Liborio Sanchez made the stop and the 0-0 score held through the half.
America asserted themselves in the second half with goals. In the 69th minute Benitez made up for the penalty miss and tallied his first of the Clausura to make it 0-1. Then late in the match they iced it with a second from substitute Juan Medina to make the full time result 0-2 to America.
The three points sent the visitors joint top with Toluca at the end of the first Clausura weekend.
Both clubs traded half chances through the first half, but it was America who got the best chance. In the 25th Queretaro conceded a PK. Looked pretty much like yet another dive in a Primera Division match to me, but what can you do? Cristian Benitez stepped up and scored the PK, but the referee whistled for a retry. On the second kick, 'keeper Liborio Sanchez made the stop and the 0-0 score held through the half.
America asserted themselves in the second half with goals. In the 69th minute Benitez made up for the penalty miss and tallied his first of the Clausura to make it 0-1. Then late in the match they iced it with a second from substitute Juan Medina to make the full time result 0-2 to America.
The three points sent the visitors joint top with Toluca at the end of the first Clausura weekend.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Mexico Match Thoughts: Morelia vs. Tijuana
The 2012 Mexican Clausura got underway last night in Morelia. Monarcas hosted Tijuana, hoping to get their campaign off to a 3 point start. However, the Xolos had other ideas and fought them to a nasty 1-1 draw at full time.
The match really did look like the first match of a new season. Neither side looked to be particularly fit or sharp on the ball. There was a lot of pushing and shoving, and a ton of diving and simulation, which in the end became part of the theme of the evening.
Morelia controlled the ball for most of the first half, except for a few flashes of possession and half chances for the Xolos. Still, it didn't look like they were really pushing it. Honestly, the match was so out of control at times that I was surprised there was only one yellow at half time. That particular card was issued to Morelia's Jorge Ocampo for a 7th minute challenge on Xolo's 'keeper Cirilo Saucedo.
Morelia also got the first goal of the game on 23 minutes, making the pressure they were generating on offense finally count. Coming up the pitch, they got three players in behind the Xolos' defense and Saucedo had no chance. Rafa Marquez Lugo slotted the goal home to make it 1-0.
It looked like that was gonna be all she wrote for the first half and for the Xolos' night. However, all hell broke loose on a Tijuana counter in first half stoppage time. Xolos striker Duvier Riascos tangled with Morelia's Adrian Alderete just to the left of the Morelia goal. The two players basically went down on top of each other and slid over the end line. Originally, the referee ruled a goal kick and gave Riascos a yellow card for diving. However, upon talking to the near side linesman he overruled himself, waiving off the yellow card and awarding Xolos a penalty. Replays showed there was little, if any contact on the play. My high school Spanish is pretty rusty, but the announcers just kept saying "No, no, no." At any rate, Jose Sand nailed the spot kick on the last kick of the half and it was 1-1 at the interval.
The second half was just as scrappy as the first, but featured a ton of diving, especially as Xolos tried to waste time. Riascos spent more time on his back than he did on his feet. In the 57th minute Morelia's Joao Rojas tried his own dive in the penalty area move, but this time the ref gave the yellow card and trusted his instinct. It was pretty brazen.
Morelia did have a chance to win it late. In the 84th minute striker Miguel Sabah managed to get his head to the ball, only to find his shot go just wide of the target. The match finished 1-1 as Xolos' time wasting tactics took their toll, and I'm sure they'll more than take the point on the road.
The match really did look like the first match of a new season. Neither side looked to be particularly fit or sharp on the ball. There was a lot of pushing and shoving, and a ton of diving and simulation, which in the end became part of the theme of the evening.
Morelia controlled the ball for most of the first half, except for a few flashes of possession and half chances for the Xolos. Still, it didn't look like they were really pushing it. Honestly, the match was so out of control at times that I was surprised there was only one yellow at half time. That particular card was issued to Morelia's Jorge Ocampo for a 7th minute challenge on Xolo's 'keeper Cirilo Saucedo.
Morelia also got the first goal of the game on 23 minutes, making the pressure they were generating on offense finally count. Coming up the pitch, they got three players in behind the Xolos' defense and Saucedo had no chance. Rafa Marquez Lugo slotted the goal home to make it 1-0.
It looked like that was gonna be all she wrote for the first half and for the Xolos' night. However, all hell broke loose on a Tijuana counter in first half stoppage time. Xolos striker Duvier Riascos tangled with Morelia's Adrian Alderete just to the left of the Morelia goal. The two players basically went down on top of each other and slid over the end line. Originally, the referee ruled a goal kick and gave Riascos a yellow card for diving. However, upon talking to the near side linesman he overruled himself, waiving off the yellow card and awarding Xolos a penalty. Replays showed there was little, if any contact on the play. My high school Spanish is pretty rusty, but the announcers just kept saying "No, no, no." At any rate, Jose Sand nailed the spot kick on the last kick of the half and it was 1-1 at the interval.
The second half was just as scrappy as the first, but featured a ton of diving, especially as Xolos tried to waste time. Riascos spent more time on his back than he did on his feet. In the 57th minute Morelia's Joao Rojas tried his own dive in the penalty area move, but this time the ref gave the yellow card and trusted his instinct. It was pretty brazen.
Morelia did have a chance to win it late. In the 84th minute striker Miguel Sabah managed to get his head to the ball, only to find his shot go just wide of the target. The match finished 1-1 as Xolos' time wasting tactics took their toll, and I'm sure they'll more than take the point on the road.
Monday, December 12, 2011
MLS, Sporting KC Send Omar Bravo to Cruz Azul
I don't care how you try to spin it, there was some tough news today for Sporting Kansas City fans. Designated Player and 2011 top scorer Omar Bravo has been sent to Cruz Azul in the Mexican Primera Division.
As per league policy, MLS does not comment these deals. Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said it was purely a business move that benefited Cruz, Sporting, and Omar Bravo. Translated, Cruz probably paid a good chunk of change for the former Mexican international.
Vermes noted that it will give the club more flexibility in going after another DP. He also said that all of their DP targets are attackers.
I hope so, for the sake of Sporting supporters. Right now folks, your left forward is BOBBY CONVEY.
Good luck with that.
As per league policy, MLS does not comment these deals. Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said it was purely a business move that benefited Cruz, Sporting, and Omar Bravo. Translated, Cruz probably paid a good chunk of change for the former Mexican international.
Vermes noted that it will give the club more flexibility in going after another DP. He also said that all of their DP targets are attackers.
I hope so, for the sake of Sporting supporters. Right now folks, your left forward is BOBBY CONVEY.
Good luck with that.
Congrats to UANL Tigres, 2011 Mexican Apertura Champions!
Congratulations are in order for UANL Tigres, who last night beat Santos to clinch the 2011 Apertura title in the Mexican Primera Division.
Tigres beat Santos 3-1 last night at home after defeating them 0-1 on the road in the first leg of the final. It was a pretty exciting game in the first half, not so much in the second. In the 12th minute, Santos 'keeper Oswaldo Sanchez was shown the red card for a challenge in the area on Tigres' Danilinho. However, the backup 'keeper came in and promptly saved the PK.
Then in the 31st minute Santos hit back. Mexico international Oribe Peralta scored a tap in off of a nice ball to even the aggregate score at 1-1 going into the half.
Tigres came out and put the title away in the second half though. They scored three goals, two by Danilinho and one by Hector Mancilla, to make the final aggregate score 4-1.
The win marks UANL's first title in 29 years. Santos has been runner up in 3 of the last 4 Mexican Primera finals.
Congrats to Tigres, and the 2012 Clausura starts January 6!
Tigres beat Santos 3-1 last night at home after defeating them 0-1 on the road in the first leg of the final. It was a pretty exciting game in the first half, not so much in the second. In the 12th minute, Santos 'keeper Oswaldo Sanchez was shown the red card for a challenge in the area on Tigres' Danilinho. However, the backup 'keeper came in and promptly saved the PK.
Then in the 31st minute Santos hit back. Mexico international Oribe Peralta scored a tap in off of a nice ball to even the aggregate score at 1-1 going into the half.
Tigres came out and put the title away in the second half though. They scored three goals, two by Danilinho and one by Hector Mancilla, to make the final aggregate score 4-1.
The win marks UANL's first title in 29 years. Santos has been runner up in 3 of the last 4 Mexican Primera finals.
Congrats to Tigres, and the 2012 Clausura starts January 6!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Mexico Match Thoughts: CD Guadalajara vs. Pachuca
Now this was the kind of match you'd expect from the Primera Division. Chances on both sides, goals, red cards, you name it. Chivas controlled most of the match, but in the end, Pachuca snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat, barely.
After a lot of back and forth play, Chivas finally opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Miguel Ponce sent a low pass along the ground centering into the six. Marco Fabian slid into the six and toe poked it past the 'keeper to give the Goats the 1-0 lead. It was a solid play and enough to give Chivas the half time advantage.
After a pretty tame first half, all hell broke loose in the second half. In the 49th minute, Chivas 'keeper Luis Michel smacked Pachuca defender Javier Mustafa with the ball. Mustafa then kicked Michel in the groin. Both players were shown the red card and a penalty was awarded to Pachuca for the original foul on Mustafa. Chivas back up 'keeper Victor Hernandez came in but couldn't stop Enrique Esqueda's PK, and the match was even at 1-1.
This didn't stop Chivas from keeping up the attack though. It only took them eleven minutes to retake the lead. Jesus Sanchez sent a ball in that Erick Torres knocked home to give Chivas the 2-1 lead.
As we went into stoppage time, it looked like the lead would hold up and the Torres goal would be the winner. Pachuca had other ideas though. Their salvation came again in the form of Esqueda, who escaped the Goat defense and smashed the equalizer into the upper 90. Chivas couldn't threaten in the last minute or so, and the full time result was 2-2.
The result might prove costly for Chivas, especially in light of Cruz Azul's win earlier. When you stop and consider that a good portion of it was directly due to their lack of discipline, it makes it even worse.
After a lot of back and forth play, Chivas finally opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Miguel Ponce sent a low pass along the ground centering into the six. Marco Fabian slid into the six and toe poked it past the 'keeper to give the Goats the 1-0 lead. It was a solid play and enough to give Chivas the half time advantage.
After a pretty tame first half, all hell broke loose in the second half. In the 49th minute, Chivas 'keeper Luis Michel smacked Pachuca defender Javier Mustafa with the ball. Mustafa then kicked Michel in the groin. Both players were shown the red card and a penalty was awarded to Pachuca for the original foul on Mustafa. Chivas back up 'keeper Victor Hernandez came in but couldn't stop Enrique Esqueda's PK, and the match was even at 1-1.
This didn't stop Chivas from keeping up the attack though. It only took them eleven minutes to retake the lead. Jesus Sanchez sent a ball in that Erick Torres knocked home to give Chivas the 2-1 lead.
As we went into stoppage time, it looked like the lead would hold up and the Torres goal would be the winner. Pachuca had other ideas though. Their salvation came again in the form of Esqueda, who escaped the Goat defense and smashed the equalizer into the upper 90. Chivas couldn't threaten in the last minute or so, and the full time result was 2-2.
The result might prove costly for Chivas, especially in light of Cruz Azul's win earlier. When you stop and consider that a good portion of it was directly due to their lack of discipline, it makes it even worse.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Mexico Match Thoughts: Pachuca vs. America
So far I hadn't caught a match featuring either of these two teams during Apertura 2011, so I was keen to take in this one and cross them both off the list, or if you prefer, add the tags to my blog.
America came into the match on 8 points, Pachuca with 7. Obviously they were hoping to ride their home crowd past America and further up the table.
Pachuca really came out on the front foot, with a lot of attacking and possession. Honestly it seemed to me throughout the whole first half that the heads of the America players just weren't in the match. I don't speak much Spanish, so I don't know if the announcers would have validated it, but that's what it looked like to me.
In fact, Pachuca had all the chances in the first half as America failed to register a shot, leaving Calero lonely in the Pachuca goal. His friends made feel better though, particularly Felix Borja. In the 16th minute he took a gorgeous through ball and went on an angle in the back of the net to give Pachuca the 1-0 lead. Then he pulled a Lucha Libre mask from his sock and wore it in celebration, for which he got a yellow card. Great celebration though. It would be the only goal Pachuca would need and they led 1-0 at half time.
Whatever America's coach said to them at half time seemed to work. They came out much more aggressive. Not on fire mind you, but they finally looked like they wanted to play the match. They carved out two or three good chances in the opening 10 minutes, but Calero stood firm in goal for Pachuca.
In the 65th minute, Pachuca put the match away for good. Feliz Borja was again the man up to the task as he headed in a gorgeous long cross from Hernandez to make it 2-0. Then in the 78th minute, America really blew it as Valenzuela went into Edy Brambila with a nasty two footed challenge and received a red card. That ended any slim hope America had and Pachuca took the match by the 2-0 margin.
America came into the match on 8 points, Pachuca with 7. Obviously they were hoping to ride their home crowd past America and further up the table.
Pachuca really came out on the front foot, with a lot of attacking and possession. Honestly it seemed to me throughout the whole first half that the heads of the America players just weren't in the match. I don't speak much Spanish, so I don't know if the announcers would have validated it, but that's what it looked like to me.
In fact, Pachuca had all the chances in the first half as America failed to register a shot, leaving Calero lonely in the Pachuca goal. His friends made feel better though, particularly Felix Borja. In the 16th minute he took a gorgeous through ball and went on an angle in the back of the net to give Pachuca the 1-0 lead. Then he pulled a Lucha Libre mask from his sock and wore it in celebration, for which he got a yellow card. Great celebration though. It would be the only goal Pachuca would need and they led 1-0 at half time.
Whatever America's coach said to them at half time seemed to work. They came out much more aggressive. Not on fire mind you, but they finally looked like they wanted to play the match. They carved out two or three good chances in the opening 10 minutes, but Calero stood firm in goal for Pachuca.
In the 65th minute, Pachuca put the match away for good. Feliz Borja was again the man up to the task as he headed in a gorgeous long cross from Hernandez to make it 2-0. Then in the 78th minute, America really blew it as Valenzuela went into Edy Brambila with a nasty two footed challenge and received a red card. That ended any slim hope America had and Pachuca took the match by the 2-0 margin.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Mexico Match Thoughts: Cruz Azul vs. Tijuana
So as I'm trying to decide which Mexican Primera Division club to support, and Cruz is one of the front runners. Mostly because of two things. One, I've seen them play live, which is pretty cool, and two I like their style and the buzz around their stadium.
For this match, they geared up for Tijuana. The Perro Rojinegros came into the match hoping for some kind of result from Estadio Azul to move away from the bottom of the table.
For awhile it looked like they might get their way. If I'm honest with you, it wasn't that exciting of a match to watch. Much of the first half was spent in the midfield for both clubs, and good chances seemed few and far between.
Tijuana did make the most of their big chance though. Dayro Moreno was probably the most dangerous player for them the entire night. In the 22nd minute he got his head on the end of a gorgeous early cross and gave the keeper no chance. The ball rippled the back of the net to make 0-1 to the visitors.
Cruz came out more intent on protecting their turf in the second half. It didn't take them long to equalize. Edixon Perea headed in the tying goal in the 48th, and Emanuel Villa gave La Machina the lead for good in the 68th. Villa later earned his second yellow and was sent off in the 77th minute. Tijuana put the Azul goal under pressure in the final minutes, but couldn't convert. The match ended 2-1 to Cruz Azul.
The win puts Cruz in 3rd place behind Chivas and Pumas. The loss drops Tijuana to 15th with only Atlas, Morelia, and Atlante behind them at present.
For this match, they geared up for Tijuana. The Perro Rojinegros came into the match hoping for some kind of result from Estadio Azul to move away from the bottom of the table.
For awhile it looked like they might get their way. If I'm honest with you, it wasn't that exciting of a match to watch. Much of the first half was spent in the midfield for both clubs, and good chances seemed few and far between.
Tijuana did make the most of their big chance though. Dayro Moreno was probably the most dangerous player for them the entire night. In the 22nd minute he got his head on the end of a gorgeous early cross and gave the keeper no chance. The ball rippled the back of the net to make 0-1 to the visitors.
Cruz came out more intent on protecting their turf in the second half. It didn't take them long to equalize. Edixon Perea headed in the tying goal in the 48th, and Emanuel Villa gave La Machina the lead for good in the 68th. Villa later earned his second yellow and was sent off in the 77th minute. Tijuana put the Azul goal under pressure in the final minutes, but couldn't convert. The match ended 2-1 to Cruz Azul.
The win puts Cruz in 3rd place behind Chivas and Pumas. The loss drops Tijuana to 15th with only Atlas, Morelia, and Atlante behind them at present.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Mexican Match Suspended After Gunfire Heard Outside of Stadium
Unfortunately the violence and problems facing Mexico came home to roost on it's futbol league Saturday night. The match between Santos and Morelia, at Santos' home stadium in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico was suspended after about 40 minutes when the obvious sound of gunfire was heard in the stadium.
Below is the live video via Azteca of the incident. The players and officials run off the pitch and into the tunnel. A few minutes later, as the shots continue to be heard, fans start to storm the pitch, also seeking cover and running away from the sound of the shots.
Torreon and Coahuila officials said that gunmen attacked a public security vehicle outside the stadium. One police officer was injured in the gun fight, but there no injuries reported in the stadium itself. Officials did not say who the gunmen were.
The match was still 0-0 at the time of the suspension.
Below is the live video via Azteca of the incident. The players and officials run off the pitch and into the tunnel. A few minutes later, as the shots continue to be heard, fans start to storm the pitch, also seeking cover and running away from the sound of the shots.
Torreon and Coahuila officials said that gunmen attacked a public security vehicle outside the stadium. One police officer was injured in the gun fight, but there no injuries reported in the stadium itself. Officials did not say who the gunmen were.
The match was still 0-0 at the time of the suspension.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Mexico Match Blurb: Atlante vs. Queretaro
Ok, this one's going to be kind of short. This was the first time I've ever watched either of these two sides, so I'm not really familiar with the players and formations, etc.
Just as a match, it was fun to watch. There always seems to be goals in these Primera Division matches. There was quite a bit of back and forth, though it's safe to say that Queretaro had the better chances. You could also see why both of these clubs might struggle at times, a lack of consistency on both ends of the pitch. I think this affected Atlante more throughout the match.
Queretaro got three goals from Bueno to account for it's scoring in the win. Maldonado equalized at 1-1 in the second half, but lack of defense killed them in the end as Queretaro scored the final two goals. The effort keeps them in touch with the top part of the table, while Atlante stays mired at the bottom in the Apertura. Fun one to watch though, plenty of chances and plenty of goals.
Just as a match, it was fun to watch. There always seems to be goals in these Primera Division matches. There was quite a bit of back and forth, though it's safe to say that Queretaro had the better chances. You could also see why both of these clubs might struggle at times, a lack of consistency on both ends of the pitch. I think this affected Atlante more throughout the match.
Queretaro got three goals from Bueno to account for it's scoring in the win. Maldonado equalized at 1-1 in the second half, but lack of defense killed them in the end as Queretaro scored the final two goals. The effort keeps them in touch with the top part of the table, while Atlante stays mired at the bottom in the Apertura. Fun one to watch though, plenty of chances and plenty of goals.
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