Liga MX: America Show Their Quality On Match Day 5

 After Match Day 4 in Liga MX, the Clausura season is officially more than a quarter of the way over. As the top teams begin to pull away, there are the storylines from the past weekend.

Queretaro adds to Veracruz misery

The weekend was kicked off with Queretaro hosting Veracruz in a battle of two teams who found themselves near the bottom of the Liga MX. The two teams have only accumulated five out of a possible 24 points. Within 15 minutes, the teams had traded goals with Veracruz getting off to a hot start four minutes into the game with a goal. Queretaro would answer back from the penalty spot and in the final 10 minutes of play would take the lead to give them all three points. The win couldn’t come at a better time for Queretaro, who in two weeks begin their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal, and want to build momentum leading to that. Veracruz are still winless after five games this season, and have only accumulated two points. They could start finding themselves being dragged into the relegation battle if they continue their bad trend.

Tigres down Jaguares

Friday night saw Chiapas get out to an early lead in hopes of upsetting Tigres with a wonderful counterattacking team goal. Tigres though would start imposing their will on the match, and tied it before half. In the second half, Tigres would finally take the lead for good thanks to Andre-Pierre Gignac and add one more right before the end of the match. Tigres look to have now found their groove and the rest of Liga MX should be worried, because when Tigres are on their game they’re the most dangerous team in the country.

Spoils shared in Tijuana

After getting their first win of the season last week, Cruz Azul traveled to Tijuana with the two teams equal on points. Fans for both teams will be frustrated with the dull 1-1 result as Tijuana has failed to win at home so far this season. On the other hand, Cruz Azul continue to take one step forward and two back. Both teams have been inconsistent, and will continue to struggle.

Santos stopped at three in a row

In the only battle that had two teams in the top five spots in the league standings, Club America hosted the red hot Santos Saturday afternoon. It took two goals at the end of each half, but America were able to take advantage of their home field to get their first win at El Estadio Azteca this season. This was a big win for America since their only other wins had come against Dorados and Atlas, both of whom have struggled this year. They showed that they’re as good as any team in the league when they’re at their best. In the long run this could be a good result for Santos as it shows them what it will take to battle with the best of Liga MX.

Puebla ambush Atlas

It only took one half but that was all Puebla needed to take care of Atlas as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the 40th minute. Everything that could have gone wrong for Atlas did, including conceding an own goal. Atlas got one back in the second half but it was too little to take. Puebla continue their strong start to the season, and will now see if they can pull an upset midweek in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores play-in game in Argentina. For Atlas, it’s another setback for a team who was expecting more so far this season.

Monterrey make easy work of Dorados

The poor season for Dorados continues as they were run out of the building by Monterrey, who bounced back as you’d expect after suffering their worst defeat last week. There isn’t a better opponent to bounce back after a defeat than to play Dorados, who still have yet to score a goal in five games and 450 minutes of league action. With the win, Monterrey sit on top of the league with 12 points out of 15 and are filling all the potential they had entering the season.

Morelia shock Leon

This was not how Luis Fernando Tena wanted to start his stint as Leon manger. Entering the match, Morelia looked like a good team for Tena’s first match as Leon coach, especially at home. They caught a break in the second half from an own goal yet Morelia, as they’ve done a few times this season, fought back and in a matter of three minutes took the lead. Morelia were able to grind out the rest of the game and have taken back to back wins now and have separated themselves from Chivas.

Chivas continue winless run

Chivas hosting Toluca was the Saturday nightcap, and the game was highlighted by the problems both teams have this season. Chivas were lucky to leave with a point after a poor 1-1 match thanks to a Toluca own goal and have yet to win a game so far. They have now drawn four matches this season. Toluca again found a way to lose a lead in the second week in a row and pressure will be mounting for them as this doesn’t look like the same team that lost in the semifinals last season.

Pachuca stay undefeated

To end the midweek, Pumas hosted Pachuca and looked to hand Los Tuzos their first defeat. Things were looking good for the home team as they grabbed a goal at the end of the first half. As Pachuca pressed in the second half, Pumas held firm and were so close to giving Pachuca their first defeat. It wasn’t until the 88th minute that an Omar Gonzalez goal tied the match and left everything even at 1-1. Pachuca stays undefeated and got one of the hardest away fixtures out of their way. How they endlessly battle till the very end is a good sign for the young team who is desperate to show they belong with the likes of America, Monterrey, and Tigres.

*Top 8 teams qualify to Liguilla

Relegation: Another week goes by and Dorados continue to fall deeper and deeper into the relegation hole. Chivas are the real winners in that regard since they’re still winless in the league. Puebla and Morelia both picking up wins allow both teams to pull away from Chivas and start getting closer to Tijuana and Veracruz. Still, this season it looks like all these teams will be saved by the terrible Dorados.

*Team with the lowest percentage will be relegated