Torneo Apertura 2009

It is early in the 2nd half but Monterrey are winning 1-0 over America with a goal by...Aldo De Nigris! What an emtional moment that was!

1-0 is how it ended, not a very well played game but a touching moment with the younger De Nigris scoring.

The other game on Saturday was a wild one, 4-4 between Puebla and Cruz Azul. Cruz Azul led 2-1 but were trailing 4-2 at the half ebfore rallying to tie it up. Despite the goals, this too was a sloppy game with both defenses making numerous errors.But a good result for Cruz Azul, Puebla must win there next week in order to advance.

I agree with merengue, both games were sloppy, Monterrey-America because neither team could really generate much of anything because they could not string any passes together. Yet De Nigris winning the game was so fitting. Puebla-Cruz Azul may have been sloppy but was fun to watch, like two boxers just throwing punches and ignoring their defense. Plenty of action and you know what I would not count Puebla out in leg 2. They find ways to get it done. And old man Borgetti can still score, netting one for Puebla. A header of course.

Even as an America fan I have to say it was touching that Aldo de Nigris scored yesterday. Other than that though it was a very forgettable game where neither team looked good. On to the Azteca where an Aguila win by any score will send us on to the semifinals.

Puebla-Cruz Azul was definitely the game of the weekend in the liguilla. Great action, sure it was not a classically well played game but it was fun. Puebla are an entertaining team and while Cruz Azul just need to not lose in game 2 to advance, Puebla can not be counted out. They just seem to have a wonderful team spirit and "Chelis" Sanchez Sola is as charsimatic a coach as we have seen in Mexico in years. In a different way from Bora but I think he's the most charismatic coach in Mexico since Bora.

In Sunday's games San Luis scored the only goal to defeat a pretty lifeless Toluca. Surprised at how Toluca played but they should make up the one goal difference.

In the other game, Santos beat Morelia 2-1 in a pretty good game marred by once again poor officiating. Matias Vuoso was controversially sent off with his 2nd yellow for a supposed foul on a goal he scored but which was called back, very harsh decision in my opinion. But Carlos Ochoa with 2 goals won it for Santos. Should be a good 2nd leg next week in Morelia but without Vuoso, Santos will be hurting.

I think Monterrey has a pretty good chance in game 2 against America. First of all they won on Saturday without their two midfield motors-Gerardo Galindo and Luis Perez which forced them to move two defenders-Severino Meza and Diego Martinez to central midfield and they still outplayed America in that sector of the field. Chucho Ramirez' America is a very defensive team and with the obligation to look for goals next weekend, they will open themselves up to Monterrey's counter atatcks. Look out for Humberto Suazo in this 2nd game.

You were right Pique, here were the leg 2 quarterfinal scores with aggregate scores in parentheses:

Cruz Azul 3-2 Puebla (7-6 overall)
America 1-1 Monterrey (1-2 overall)
Toluca 1-0 San Luis (1-1 but Toluca advances w/ better overall record)
Morelia 3-0 Santos (4-2 overall)

So the semifinals will be:

Toluca v Monterrey
Cruz Azul v Morelia

Thought I would add this. The transfer rumors have already begun. Looks as Cruz Azul is going after my main man @ Pachuca, Christian "El Chaco" Giménez. I heard the offer is for 6 million US. In return, Los Tuzos are looking at Club Atlético Independiente's Darío Gandín. Gandín has played in Mexico before w/ Club León, but that was in Primera A. Personally, I am not down w/ that move, but Andrea Fassi is the Director of Futbol (his official title is el Vicepresidente Deportivo) @ Pachuca CF. He has a vision, but I don't know if the rest of Los Tuzos faithful are kewl w/ his vision.

I thought Saturday's quarterfinals were both exciting games, they were the first two named in the quoted portion above. Sunday's matches less so. Toluca ground out their win over San Luis. Not too impressive from Toluca but they advance. Morelia, however, were very impressive in easily defeating Santos 3-0. This looks like a complete team Tomas Boy's Morelia, they defend well and have a potent attack. Sets up what should be a very intriguing semifinal series vs Cruz Azul.

On Saturday Cruz Azul and Puebla played a thrilling game, the cementeros got them with their ability off of set pieces (Dominguez heading in one free kick, Pinto scoring directly from another.) Monterrey has to thank goalie Jonathan Orozco for defeating America, well actually tying them but advancing 2-1 on aggregate. Aldo de Nigris played a part in the rayados game tying goal too, heading Felipe Baloy's cross across goal for Humberto Suazo to beat Memo Ochoa to the ball, round him and score.