Before we begin to get ready for the international break, let's first take a look back at the most recent round of Liga MX matches. In case you missed
Before we begin to get ready for the international break, let’s first take a look back at the most recent round of Liga MX matches. In case you missed any of it, here’s a quick match-by-match recap of Week 7 of the 2017 Apertura.
Club Tijuana 2-1 Pachuca
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqTEyoC7jxM&w=560&h=315]
Xolos were so very closely to earning a draw, but thanks to a late goal from Damian Musto in the 87th minute, the home team was able to clinch its third victory in a row. Despite the loss for Pachuca, Los Tuzos should be given plenty of credit for valiantly keeping pace after going down to 10 players early into the first half. Pachuca also had a number of injuries to key players as well.
Goalscorers: 43′ Gustavo Bou (Tijuana), 64′ Jose Joaquin Martinez (Pachuca), 87′ Damian Musto (Tijuana)
SofaScore man of the match: Gustavo Bou (Tijuana). I would personally give this award to Musto, but Bou is easily a worthy candidate. The striker now has four goals in his last four matches.
Cruz Azul 1-1 Monterrey
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjmwsCawKCg&w=560&h=315]
What a performance from Cruz Azul goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona! Although he allowed a late equalizer from Monterrey, Corona was the talking point with his incredible evening in net. After saving a penalty in the first half, the veteran later made a handful of crucial stops in the second half. Following the draw, both clubs remain as the only undefeated teams left in the league.
Goalscorers: 52′ Adrian Aldrete (Cruz Azul), 83′ Aviles Hurtado (Monterrey)
SofaScore man of the match: Jose de Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul). Surprise, surprise, it’s Corona! It’s no wonder that Juan Carlos Osorio once again called him up to the national team recently.
Tigres 3-2 Lobos BUAP
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svpgZJg912Q&w=560&h=315]
Shout-out to the recently-promoted Lobos BUAP for making this a difficult win for Tigres. Before a small avalanche of goals during the last few minutes, it looked as if Lobos BUAP were going to walk away with a massive point in hand. As for Tigres, the Monterrey club has continued to build momentum with two wins and one draw in its last three games.
Goalscorers: 14′ Javier Aquino (Tigres), 43′ Alfonso Sanchez (Lobos BUAP), 84′ Eduardo Vargas (Tigres), 90′ Jesus Dueñas (Tigres), 93′ Julian Quiñones (Lobos BUAP)
SofaScore man of the match: Eduardo Vargas (Tigres). It has to be Vargas. With a goal and assist on Saturday night, the Tigres starter proved to be the biggest difference-maker.
Leon 1-2 Santos Laguna
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWOBM52Lnx0&w=560&h=315]
Another coach bites the dust. It appeared as though it was only a matter of time before Leon manager Javier Torrente lost his job. After a disappointing run throughout 2017, and Saturday night’s loss, Torrente was dropped from his position. Looking over at Santos, Los Guerreros have finally earned their first victory of the Apertura.
Goalscorers: 10′ Julio Furch (Santos), 40′ Diego de Buen (Santos), 59′ Mauro Boselli (Leon)
SofaScore man of the match: Julio Furch (Santos). Well-deserved recognition for the striker that finished with a goal and assist against Leon.
Morelia 2-0 Club America
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddG8uJo8nfA&w=560&h=315]
Morelia secured the surprise result of the Liga MX weekend. Thanks to goals from Sebastian Vegas and Raul Ruidiaz — and also an excellent performance from Sebastian Sosa in net — the home team snapped America’s five-game undefeated run. Oribe Peralta, who missed the match due to an injury, was dearly missed by America in the frontline.
Goalscorers: 29′ Sebastian Vegas (Morelia), 95′ Raul Ruidiaz (Morelia)
SofaScore man of the match: Sebastian Sosa (Veracruz). With plenty of stops and saves in the victory, the goalkeeper was the best player of the night.
Necaxa 2-1 Atlas
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qKBXLSq5_o&w=560&h=315]
Problems have continued to grow for Atlas. Without Clifford Aboagye or Rafael Marquez, the Guadalajara squad has struggled more than any other Liga MX team in recent matches. Saturday’s loss was Atlas’ fourth in its last five matches. As for Necaxa, things are beginning to look up for the club that has sneaked into the top five.
Goalscorers: 17′ Facundo Erpen — own-goal (Atlas), 28′ Facundo Erpen (Atlas), 65′ Roberto Alvarado (Morelia)
SofaScore man of the match: Xavier Baez (Necaxa). Erpen was also given the same rating by Sofascore, but due to the fact that he scored an own-goal, I’ll give this one to Baez. Necaxa’s leading distributor helped control the midfield with his passes, clearances and tackles.
Chivas 0-0 Queretaro
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9iHR-TRGzA&w=560&h=315]
Another game, another failure to secure a win for Chivas. Although Los Rojiblancos dominated possession against Queretaro, they failed to get a shot past goalkeeper Tiago Volpi. With limited time on the ball, Los Gallos Blancos also had a handful of dangerous opportunities against Chivas. The slight silver-lining for Chivas? The recent draw pushed the team one spot above last place.
Goalscorers:
SofaScore man of the match: Jair Pereira (Chivas). His goal line clearance is worth this recognition alone. Pereira was also superb with his passing and occasional defensive interventions.
Toluca 2-1 Puebla
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maVnRSBQ_8s&w=560&h=315]
Thanks to Toluca’s late push, and a total of 21 shots during the match, Los Diablos Rojos were able to clinch their third win of the Apertura on Sunday. On the other side of the pitch, Puebla has continued its tumble down the league table. Following the loss, Los Camoteros are now in last place.
Goalscorers: 39′ Felix Micolta (Puebla), 57′ Maximiliano Perg (Toluca), 73′ Fernando Uribe (Toluca)
SofaScore man of the match: Rubens Sambueza (Toluca). As predicted in the preview, Sambueza was going to be a headache for Puebla. Over the weekend, the midfielder provided a number of key passes and the assist for the game-winner.
Veracruz 1-0 Pumas
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WKe63pPeNw&w=560&h=315]
Considering the fact that Pumas manager “Paco” Palencia was fired just a few days beforehand, and that striker Nicolas Castillo was unavailable, it wasn’t that surprising to see the struggling team earn another loss. Whether it says more about the opponent or Veracruz, Los Tiburones Rojos have once again exceeded expectations with their third win in their last five matches.
Goalscorers: 59′ Daniel Villalva (Veracruz)
SofaScore man of the match: Kristian Alvarez (Veracruz). Alvarez was excellent in the backline and also provided the assist for Villalva’s game-winner.
Attendance numbers
Attendance numbers from #LigaMXeng Week 7.
Via @LIGABancomerMX pic.twitter.com/EJx3hUFOtf
— Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol) August 28, 2017
Goal of the week
Aldrete’s goal for Cruz Azul was beautiful, but I have to select this fantastic effort from Musto for Xolos’ game-winner on Friday.
#NoTeLoPierdas
G⚽⚽⚽LAAAAAZO de Damián Musto@Xolos 2-1 @Tuzos #J7AP2017 #LIGABancomerMX
⚽ #SienteTuLiga ⚽#PorLaEducación pic.twitter.com/ywGPFpkPwk— LIGA Bancomer MX (@LIGABancomerMX) August 26, 2017
Soccer Nation Best XI from Week 7
