Liga MX: Copa MX Recap – July 31, 2018

Chivas, América earn wins in Week 2 of Copa MX action

Guadalajara and América kicked off their Apertura 2018 Copa MX campaign in winning fashion Tuesday night while Pachuca recorded its second consecutive win that contrasts with its 0-0-2 start to the league.

Chivas 3 – Monarcas 2

Chivas coach José Cardozo surely hopes the dramatic 3-2 victory over visiting Morelia can reverse his team’s fortunes after two straight losses to open the league. Second-half sub José Juan Macías fired home from 25 yards in minute 83 – a laser from a ridiculous angle into the far-side netting that left goalie Ángel Malagón with no chance.

The Chivas had squandered an early 2-0 lead provided by a brace from Walter Sandoval (a penalty kick in minute 26 and a brilliant solo effort in minute 42). Morelia responded with two goals within six minutes midway through the second half to equalize.

The Monarcas seemed the more likely to steal the win as they swarmed forward after tying the score and Guadalajara appeared to have lost their tactical shape, especially on defense. The home fans in Estadio Akron looked on in stunned silence as their beloved Chivas struggled to recover their composure.

Macías came on in minute 73 – three minutes after Morelia had knotted the score – and almost immediately flubbed a chance to be the hero, chasing a lead pass into the box only to meekly scuff a shot into the midriff of the onrushing Malagón. The lanky striker redeemed himself seven minutes later and sent Chivas Nation into delirium.

Guadalajara is tied with Morelia atop the Group 8 standings with 3 points and will take to the road to play the Alebrijes of Oaxaca Aug. 8.

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Club América 3 – Veracruz 0

In Mexico City, the Águilas fielded a very young team but managed an easy 3-0 win over Veracruz, taking advantage of a second-half expulsion to make the final scoreline look more respectable.

Defender Emanuel Aguilera opened the scoring in minute 40, heading home off a corner kick exactly 20 minutes after a similar effort was annulled when ref César Ramos whistled him for pushing down a Tiburon defender.

The Águilas were dominating possession and pressuring the Veracruz defense but could not get the ball on target in the slick conditions. Too often, América turned the ball over when attempting 1-on-1 or 1-on-2 moves and accurate centering passes were few and far between.

Twenty-seven minutes into the second half, ref Ramos awarded a questionable penalty to the home team and in the ensuing argument he saw fit to show the red card to Raymundo Fulgencio for grabbing the ref’s arm and disputing the decision. A harsh verdict.

Aguilera converted the penalty and América coasted home, an exclamation point provided by striker Henry Martin who executed a beautiful half-turn inside the box and fired into the roof of the net in minute 79.

América moved to the top of Group 7 (tied with Sinaloa) while Veracruz sank to 0-0-2. The Águilas visit Sinaloa on Aug. 7 to determine the group leader after the first round of play.

Pachuca 2- Santos 0 and Cafetaleros 1 – San Luis 1

In other Copa MX action from Tuesday night, Pachuca defeated Santos Laguna 2-0 to take command of Group 5 after blanking Celaya 2-0 last week. In Tapachula, Chiapas, the Cafetaleros stole a win from visiting San Luis by scoring the equalizer in second-half injury time to earn a 1-1 result. San Luis tops Group 9 after its stunning 2-1 win over Tigres last week.