Mexican League Week 4 Report: Pumas Still on Top, Cruz Azul Escapes a Scare

Despite some interesting matchups, the fourth match-day in the Mexican League Torneo Apertura 2011 provided few emotions.

The midweek fixture definitely affected most teams, especially considering how early in the tournament it was scheduled.

Cruz Azul 2-1 Atlante

This is a very deceiving score. Atlante was better during most of the game, but they struggled with their finishing, while Cruz Azul made use of their few goal chances.

Emanuel Villa and Javier Orozco scored for La Máquina Celeste, while Giancarlo Maldonado got Atlante back in the fight, but it was not enough.

Querétaro 2-1 Pachuca

Elías Hernández had opened the scoring at the 14^th minute, and for a while it seemed Los Gallos Blancos were being dragged back to the bottom of the relegation battle, but Daley Mena equalized at the 75^th minute and Michel Vázquez gave the hosts a much needed victory in stoppage time.

Now Querétaro has a four-point edge over Estudiantes Tecos in the relegation table; yes, Xolos Tijuana is still behind, but considering the next result we know that won’t last.

Santos Laguna 1-3 Xolos Tijuana

The upset of the week. Santos Laguna had two impressive victories in their first two games, while Xolos lost their first two presentations in the First Division.

Everything was according to the script when Juan Pablo Rodríguez scored to make it 1-0 with a penalty kick, but former Santos Laguna player Fernando Arce equalized just before the break.

José Sand and Dayro Moreno shocked everybody in the second half, giving Tijuana its first points in the First Division.

This team is definitely here to stay.

Chivas 0-0 Pumas UNAM

This was the game everybody expected, but as usual it turned out to be a disappointment.

Pumas’ coach Guillermo Vázquez was too cautious, and Chivas couldn’t break the lock that goalkeeper Alejandro Palacios put on his goal.

With this result, Pumas is still the leader, while Chivas is third with one pending game.

Monterrey 2-0 Morelia

Los Rayados bounced back from their defeat against Pumas with a late minute victory against the current runners-up of the league.

Monterrey had been clearly better during the game, but they needed a defensive mistake at the 85^th minute to start the play that ended in Suazo’s goal.

Carreño secured the victory on a counter attack at the 91^st minute.

Puebla 1-2 Jaguares

Jaguares took advantage of being fresher than Puebla (Jaguares’ midweek fixture game was postponed), and they came from behind to get their first victory of the season.

Luis García scored at the 5^th minute with a penalty kick, but Franco Arizala (31^st) and Jackson Martínez (73^rd) turned around the score.

Toluca 0-0 Atlas

Toluca tried time after time, but they just missed too many chances and had to settle for a goalless draw.

Toluca is still undefeated in four games, but this was its third draw in a row.

Estudiantes Tecos 0-1 Tigres

Another poorly played game that just needed a spark to get a winner.

Danilinho assisted Israel Jiménez at the 62^nd minute to give Tigres its first victory of the tournament after three draws.

Just four days after beating América in the Azteca Stadium, this defeat cost José Luis Sánchez Solís his job, as he becomes the first sacked manager of the season.

Postponed match

América vs San Luis (re-scheduled for Sept. 14^th)

Standings

#	Equipo	PTS	DIF
1	Pumas	10	+4
2	Monterrey	9	+6
3	Chivas*	7	+3
4	Cruz Azul	7	+1
5	Santos Laguna*	6	+4
6	Toluca	6	+1
7	Tigres	6	+1
8	Atlas	4	+1
9	América*	4	0
10	Pachuca	4	-3
11	Querétaro	4	-3
12	Puebla	4	-4
13	Xolos Tijuana*	3	-1
14	San Luis**	3	-1
15	Atlante	3	-2
16	Estudiantes Tecos	3	-2
17	Morelia*	3	-2
18	Jaguares*	3	-3
* Pending game

Week 5 matches

Morelia vs Chivas ::: Jaguares vs Cruz Azul ::: Pachuca vs Toluca ::: Tigres vs América ::: Atlas vs Estudiantes Tecos ::: San Luis vs Monterrey ::: Atlante vs Querétaro ::: Pumas vs Santos Laguna ::: Xolos Tijuana vs Puebla

Follow me on Twitter: @luisrha