Liga MX: America needs finish to finish Toluca

First Leg Match

Toluca 2 – Club America 2

From a neutral perspective, what an incredible match! Seven minutes into the match Emanuel Aguilera found the back of the net for an important early lead and away goal. Toluca would equalize in the 24th minute from Fernando Tobio only to fall behind again two minutes later when a gorgeous pass from Mateus Uribe pinpointed to the head of Bruno Valdez who put it past Alfredo Talavera. Interestingly, Diego Lainez would come on for Cecilio Dominguez in minute 38,  but Miguel Herrera wanted to go into a defensive posture. Toluca ended the half with 61% of the possession and an 80% passing completion rate on 146 passes. The match went to halftime with America leading 2-1, but the 2nd half would make Aguilas fans pull their hair out. America had just 25% possession in the 2nd half and generated just one shot and, get this, 79 passes. Los Diablos came in wave after wave of offensive pressure. It was only a matter of time until they found the equalizer.

Much to Piojo’s dismay, six minutes of stoppage time were added to the end of the match. America continued to give Toluca possession and wait for time to run out. In the final minute of stoppage time, however, Alexis Vega took the ball and put in a move that sent about four Aguilas to the ground, opening him up for an absolute golazo to knot the game at 2-2.

The return leg will be interesting, as it is clear Piojo didn’t see his timid tactics as the reason for the draw, but rather the officiating. Despite the vast difference between the home form of America and the road form of Toluca, I fear we’ll see more “playing not to lose” from the Cream-and-Blues.