Mexican Soccer: Week 5 Recap in Mexico's Apertura

The fifth week of the Mexican League's Apertura 2011 has just come to a close and there were certainly a fair share of shocking results and plays.

Here are the results, best goals and where the teams currently stand.

Note: This will be a weekly article. So if you love Mexican League soccer, you will find an update here every week.

Results

The first match of the week was topped off by Morelia vs Guadalajara.

Guadalajara def. Morelia, 2-1. Guadalajara was able to take the lead after an own goal by Yasser Corona. Morelia tied it up with a goal from Damian Manso. Guadalajara's Antonio Gallardo scored the game-winning goal. Eight players were booked, while two of Guadalajara's players were sent off. 

San Luis def. Monterrey, 1-0. Christian Sanchez scored at the 11th minute, getting the win for San Luis. Six players were booked with yellow cards.

Chiapas vs Cruz Azul, 1-1. Jesus Chavez scored an own goal and gave Cruz Azul the lead.  Ismael Fuentes tied the game at the 58th minute. Only seven players were awarded yellow cards.

America vs Tigres, 2-2. America played with a weak defensive line and ended up tying on a game they had opportunities to win. Christian Benitez scored at the 17th minute. Praticio Trevino made an own goal at the 66th minute. Hector Mancilla gave Tigres the lead at the 84th minute. When the match looked to be over, Renato Gonzalez tied it up at the 89th minute. Three of the four players that were booked were American.

Pachuca def. Toluca, 3-0. It wasn't Toluca's night and they were easily scored on. Enrique Esqueda scored a goal at the 2nd minute of the game. Carlos Rodriguez then gave Pachuca a 2-0 lead and Mauro Cejas finished Toluca off. Three players were booked and Antonio Naelson Sinha was sent off.

Estudiates Tecos def. Atlas, 2-0. Dulio Davino scored at the 42nd minute and Eduardo Lillingston sealed the deal with a goal at the 86th minute. Only five bookings were awarded.

Queretaro def. Atlante, 3-1. The Gallos Blancos took the last victory of Saturday. Carlos Bueno scored at the 30th minute. Atlante's Giancarlo Maldonado tied the match shortly thereafter. Bueno answered right back and then to finish it off, Ricardo Vasquez scored at the 74th minute.Two players from each team were awarded with a yellow card.

Pumas vs Santos, 1-1. Oribe Perlata scored at the 58th minute before the Pumas' Eduardo Herrera tied it up at the 80th minute.  Six players were booked, two were sent off. One each from both teams.

Club Tijuana vs Puebla, 1-1. Another tie for the last game of the round. Tijuana opened things up at the 7th minute with a goal from Dayro Moreno. Eight minutes later, Puebla tied with a goal from Duviar Riascos. Five players were booked.

Goals of the Round

Here are the five best goals of the week. Some slides require you to watch a little extra action until you see the actual highlight.  Nevertheless they're all here. Without further ado....

5. A Great "Pass" Leads to Own Goal

First play of the video.

This goal made the cut because it came off an awful header. The ball rebounds off the defender and ends up in the net.

4. Great Team Play and Easy Finish by Esqueda

First play in the video.

The finish was simple, but the team play was great. The give-and-go play made the defenders fall asleep. Once #19 got through and saw the keeper come out, a pass to Esqueda led to Pachuca's first goal.

3. Nice Piece of Skill from Lugo Turns into Great Goal

Goal at 40 seconds.

On a counter attack, Morelia was outnumbered. "Who cares?" says Lugo, who jukes a defender and sets up a nice touch pass to a trailing teammate for the score.

2. Benitez's Heel Touch

First play of the video

This goal caught the crowd by surprise. After a header from the America player, Benitez embarrasses the Tigres goalie by not only finishing with his heel, but also by putting the ball between his legs. Great goal!

1. Chilena!

First play of the video.

Amazing. After the first defender (#3) falls asleep on the play, a Santos player heads for the box for what seems like an easy goal. Somehow, a defender blocks the shot and the ball is sent up into the air. Perlata's Chilena, a promising young talent, finishes and gives Santos fans a reason to celebrate. A true 'GOLAZO!'

Top Goal Scorers and Assists

Goals Scored:

1. Oribe Perlata, Santos Laguna, with four goals

2. Dayro Morena, Tijuana, with three goals

3. Giancarlo Maldonado, Atlante, with three goals

4. Luis Perez, Monterrey, with three goals

5. Hector Mancilla, Tigres, with three goals

Assists Dished:

1. Jose Sand, Tijuana, two assists

2. Alberto Medina, Guadalajara, two assists

3. Javier Cortes, Pumas, two assits

4. Daley Mena, Queretaro, two assists

5. Adrian Cortes, Cruz Azul, two assists

Overall

After the tournament, Pumas reign as No. 1. They have also played five games. Half the teams have played four and San Luis has only played three. This can change at any moment, but here are the results:

Pumas, Five games played, Eleven points

Guadalajara, Four games played, Ten points

Monterrey, Five games played, Nine points

Cruz Azul, Five games played, Eight points

Santos Laguna, Four games played, Seven points

Tigres, Five games played, Seven points

Pachuca, Five games played, Seven points

Queretaro, Five games played, Seven points

Estudiantes Tecos, Five games played, Six points

San Luis, Three games played, Six points

Toluca, Five games played, Six points

America, Four games played, Five points

Puebla, Five games played, Five points

Tijuana, Four games played, Four points

Atlas, Five games played, Four points

Jaguares, Four games played, Four points

Morelia, Four games played, Three points

Atlante, Five games played, Three points

Teams that could get into the Top Eight or move up:

Guadalajara, Santos, America

Conclusion

It's still too early to tell who's going to take the trophy. Which teams will advance?  Who will see an early exit?

Thanks for reading the weekly Mexican Apertura slideshow!  Hope to see you back here next week.