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.

Team Lavolpe heads to América

Ricardo Lavolpe's, Monterrey travels into Mexico City to face América today, knowing a victory will see them finish fifth in the Clausura season, which is a stunning turnaround from the Apertura season when they finished second-to-last in the table. Under his tutelage the club has captured his attacking style of play, resulting in a goal-scoring eruption of Humberto Suazo and have additionally tightened up weak defensive links. As per Lavolpe, the club is now a close-knit group that can perform with the best of clubs in the Liguilla.

América is in a free-fall and it is a odd time to face them to say the least. Their season is a foul mess with only eight points and the league-worst, negative sixteen goal differential and now have interim coach Juan Antonio Luna taking over for the final two matches in the Primera División and the Copa Libertadores. This is clearly their worst season on record as they are winless in their last five matches, with a apocalyptic 13-3 combined score. The strain of playing in the Copa Libertadores is obviously weighing heavy on them and it won’t be any easier today with them facing Flamengo in the second leg of this round in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday as well after losing to them this past Wednesday. They cannot be underestimated though as based upon performances such as River Plate in the Copa, they can prove to be an offensive threat particularly in set-plays.

However I expect Lavolpe, the man who should be El Tri's head coach, to lead the Rayados to another victory.

Monterrey 3-2 over Atlante

highlights from Monterrey's 3-2 victory over Atlante last night. Don't miss the second goal by Humberto Suazo.

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.

seven matches on Saturday

There's a host of great Football matches this Saturday that you'll want to stay up-to-date on. So before you throw on your Lafleur (hmm..maybe the Béliveau) jersey for game 2 in the quest for the twenty-fifth, remember to check-out;

Serie A
A.C. Milan @ Juventus F.C.
A clash of titans and a Juve win could lock down their Champion League visions as well as seriously harm AC. Milan will limp in without Alexandre Pato and both Kakha Kaladze and Alessandro Nesta are serving suspensions. Juventus will miss Pavel Nedved and Cristiano Zanetti in what is going to be a great clash. Looking forward to the Alessandro Del Piero show once again.

Bundesliga
FC Schalke 04 @ SV Werder Bremen
The race in the Bundesliga is incredibly tight and a Werder Bremen could send them two points above Schalke, into a Champions League spot and push Schalke into a UEFA Cup bid. A lot is on the line with this one and Schalke also has to respond in a short-week after losing to Barcelona.

La Primera División de México
América @ Chivas El Súper Clásico - it may not have the impact of some years with them on opposite ends of the table but this is a must see event (well...actually this one is in the Sunday list - but one to watch for)

Monterrey @ Pachuca exciting match to watch and to see if the magic of Ricardo Lavolpe and the goal-scoring machine, Humberto Suazo continues.

Championship League
Watford F.C @ West Brom
Watfords 3-0 debacle against Barnsley mid-week was a dreadful loss this time of year with promotion in sight. With Wolverhampton surging up the table a loss today could put them perilously close to losing their playoff position. A victory by West Brom puts them firmly in the lead with automatic promotion.

Wolverhampton @ Bristol City
The Wolves are on a mission and thundering up the table but face a massive test against Bristol City. At least four squads, Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, Charlton and Plymouth will be watching this intently as as Wolves win could seriously harm their promotion efforts.

League One
Carlisle United @ Leeds United
Massive match with far too many complexities given the Leeds arbitration hearing is next week and the possibility of the fifteen point reduction being reversed. A victory here and a reversal of the points could see Leeds move within a point of the league title.

I'm off for the weekend..join-in mes amis Allez l'OM, allez

La Primera División de México

From La Primera División de México this weekend;

Saturday
Monterrey 7 Veracruz 2
The story of the weekend was Chilean international, Humberto Suazo four goals for Monterrey who has quickly turned his fortune and become a fan favorite. Great to see Lavolpe's squad climb the table

Cruz Azul 2 Chiapas (Jaguares) 1
Club Santos Laguna 0 Monarcas Morelia 0
Guadalajara 1 Atlante Futbol Club 1

Sunday
Club San Luis 3 UNAM (Pumas) 2
Pachuca 3 Club América 1
Toluca 2 Puebla 1

Group 1	GP	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals	Against	Total
Toluca	13	6	4	3	18	16	22
Chiapas (Jaguares)	13	6	3	4	18	14	21
Pachuca	13	6	2	5	24	18	20
UNAM (Pumas)	13	4	3	6	16	22	15
U. A. de G (Tecos)	13	4	3	6	16	23	15
Puebla	13	3	5	5	19	17	14

Group 2	GP	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals	Against	Total
Club Santos Laguna	13	5	6	2	23	15	21
Monterrey	13	4	5	4	22	18	17
F.C. Atlas	13	4	4	5	17	18	16
Veracruz	13	3	4	6	18	22	13
Atlante Futbol Club	13	2	6	5	18	24	12
Club América	13	2	2	9	9	21	8

Group 3	GP	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals	Against	Total
Guadalajara	13	7	5	1	23	9	26
Club San Luis	13	7	4	2	21	17	25
Cruz Azul	13	6	4	3	22	14	22
Necaxa	13	4	7	2	14	9	19
U.A.N.L.	13	4	3	6	15	23	15
Monarcas Morelia	13	4	2	7	6	19	14

Friday
Puebla @ Veracruz

Saturday
U. A. de G (Tecos) @ Club San Luis
UNAM (Pumas) @ Cruz Azul
Monterrey @ Pachuca
Monarcas Morelia @ U.A.N.L.
Club América @ Guadalajara

Sunday
Chiapas (Jaguares) @ Toluca
Atlante Futbol Club @ Necaxa
F.C. Atlas @ Club Santos Laguna

La Primera División de México

From La Primera División de México this weekend;

Saturday
Club San Luis 2 Chiapas (Jaguares) 0
Itamar Batista scored twice within five minutes Jaguares to lead to victory
Cruz Azul 2 Puebla 0
Pachuca 2 Atlante Futbol Club 0
U.A.N.L. 2 UNAM (Pumas) 0
F.C. Atlas 1 Monarcas Morelia 0
Veracruz 4 Club América 0
Veracruz assault led by three Claudio Graf goals

Sunday
Monterrey 1 Toluca 1
Club Santos Laguna 4 U. A. de G (Tecos) 0
After a scoreless first half, Santos devastated the Tecos defensive for four goals in less than twenty minutes including two by Mexican international, Fernando Arce.

Necaxa 1 Guadalajara 0
Guadalajara's unbeaten streak finally ends as Necaxa played a highly tactical match.

Group 1	GP	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals	Against	Total
Chiapas (Jaguares)	12	6	3	3	17	12	21
Toluca	12	5	4	3	16	15	19
Pachuca	12	5	2	5	21	17	17
UNAM (Pumas)	12	4	3	5	14	19	15
Puebla	12	3	5	4	18	15	14
U. A. de G (Tecos)	12	3	3	6	14	22	12

Group 2	GP	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals	Against	Total
Club Santos Laguna	12	5	5	2	23	15	20
F.C. Atlas	12	4	4	4	17	17	16
Monterrey	12	3	5	4	15	16	14
Veracruz	12	3	4	5	16	15	13
Atlante Futbol Club	12	2	5	5	17	23	11
Club América	12	2	2	8	8	18	8

Group 3	GP	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals	Against	Total
Guadalajara	12	7	4	1	22	8	25
Club San Luis	12	6	4	2	18	15	22
Cruz Azul	12	5	4	3	20	13	19
Necaxa	12	3	7	2	13	9	16
U.A.N.L.	12	4	3	5	14	21	15
Monarcas Morelia	12	4	1	7	6	19	13

Friday
U.A.N.L. @ U. A. de G (Tecos)
Necaxa @ F.C. Atlas

Saturday
Veracruz@ Monterrey
Cruz Azul @ Chiapas (Jaguares)
Club Santos Laguna @ Monarcas Morelia
Guadalajara @ Atlante Futbol Club

Sunday
Club San Luis @ UNAM (Pumas)
Pachuca @ Club América
Toluca @ Puebla

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