Monterrey advances

Monterrey's bid for the Copa continued last night with a 4-4 draw with Chivas, winning the aggregate 8-5. Pay attention to the two Carlos Ochoa goals (first and last Monterrey goals) that were classic counter-strikes.

Monterrey win over Chivas highlights

Monterrey crushes Chivas 4-1

Monterrey started its push to the Copa with a powerful 4-1 victory over Chivas in the semi-finals of the Liguilla.

While news circulates that Sven Goran Eriksson could become the next manager of El Tri, it should be abundantly clear that the Fútbol Asociación made a ridiculous decision in letting go Ricardo Lavolpe. Known worldwide amongst coaches as a tactical genius, the Lavolpe-led Monterrey as defied logic in the La Primera División de México and playing far beyond what most considered their capabilities.

Last night was no different as they stunned Chivas with a 4-1 trouncing with three goals by Jared Borgetti and yet another by Humberto Suazo. Monterrey launched an aggressive 3-5-2 and provided numerous scoring opportunities.

Unfortunately Humberto Suazo is likely out for Saturday with a thigh strain as well as Walter Erviti,who suffered an ankle injury on a brutal foul by Omar Bravo late in the match.

The second leg of the series is this Saturday at the Estadio Jalisco.

Liguilla starts tonight

The Liguilla starts tonight in La Primera División de México with two important semi-final matches.

Once again throwing my impartiality aside (go Rayados), Chivas visits Monterrey in what is one of the most interesting tactical matches you'll see. The excitement around the Team Lavolpe has been the experimentation of a new formation that would see Robert de Pinho centering Humberto Suazo and Jared Borgetti. Tactically it appears that Richardo Lavolpe's approach is to attack Chivas voraciously from the get-go. They will need to build an advantage as the second leg of the series is on Saturday and Chivas is a deadly opponent at the Estadio Jalisco.

In the other match tonight, Cruz Azul visits Jaguares. This will be an extremely tight match as evidenced by last months tight 2-1 victory by Cruz Azul when the squads met last month.

Monterrey - Chivas recap

and yes...this has me in a great mood

Monterrey over Chivas 1 - 0

I know what you're thinking...what a beautiful world, full of perfect rainbows, little bluebirds chirping and yes, Monterrey defeating Chivas 1-0 in a Primera División de México match just ending. Monterrey's struck early on a Humberto Suazo goal and held the lead with tight defensive play. Unbelievable upset from the squad led by the man who should be coaching El Tri, Ricardo Lavolpe.

La Primera División de México

It is going to be an important week as El Tri meets Ghana on Wednesday and I suspect without a favorable decision the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación will replace Hugo Sanchez as head coach. I'll be updating that topic shortly but in recap of this weekends matches La Primera División de México

Friday
F.C. Atlas 3 U. A. de G (Tecos) 3

Saturday
Cruz Azul 2 Monterrey 3. Team Lavolpe continues to improve with two goals from Luis Pérez
U.A.N.L. 2 Chiapas (Jaguares) 3
Pachuca 1 Guadalajara 2
Necaxa 0 Monarcas Morelia 0
Toluca 1 Club América 0

Sunday
Club Santos Laguna 1 UNAM (Pumas) 1
Club San Luis 2 Puebla 1
Veracruz 2 Atlante Futbol Club 2

La Primera División de México
Clausura 2008

	GP	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals	Against	Total
Chiapas (Jaguares)	11	5	3	3	15	12	18
Toluca	11	5	3	3	15	14	18
UNAM (Pumas)	11	4	3	4	14	17	15
Puebla	11	3	5	3	18	13	14
Pachuca	11	4	2	5	19	17	14
U. A. de G (Tecos)	11	3	3	5	14	18	12

Group 2

	GP	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals	Against	Total
Club Santos Laguna	11	4	5	2	19	15	17
F.C. Atlas	11	3	4	4	16	17	13
Monterrey	11	3	4	4	14	15	13
Atlante Futbol Club	11	2	5	4	17	21	11
Veracruz	11	2	4	5	12	15	10
Club América	11	2	2	7	8	14	8

Group 3

	GP	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals	Against	Total
Guadalajara	11	7	4	0	22	7	25
Club San Luis	11	6	4	1	18	13	22
Cruz Azul	11	4	4	3	18	13	16
Necaxa	11	2	7	2	12	9	13
Monarcas Morelia	11	4	1	6	6	18	13
U.A.N.L.	11	3	3	5	12	21	12

Upcoming matches:

Saturday
Chiapas (Jaguares) @ Club San Luis
Puebla @ Cruz Azul
Atlante Futbol Club @ Pachuca
UNAM (Pumas) @ U.A.N.L.
Monarcas Morelia @ F.C. Atlas

Sunday
Monterrey @ Toluca
U. A. de G (Tecos) @ Club Santos Laguna
Guadalajara @ Necaxa