Cruz Azul remains in a blue funk, loses at home again
Alarm bells are surely ringing at La Noria, Cruz Azul headquarters in southern Mexico City. Across town, the struggling Pumas are breathing a bit more easily after claiming their first win of the season.
Last season, Cruz Azul returned to Estadio Azteca after a 22-year absence and was undefeated after its first 16 games at the Colossus of Santa Ursula. The Blue Machine went 8-1-0 during the regular season to finish atop the table and posted a 2-2-0 record during Copa MX matches at home.
But now, the Cementeros have lost three straight at Estadio Azteca, dating to the 2-0 loss in the Final against América. Cruz Azul does not appear to have recovered from that bitter loss and the doldrums have carried into the New Year.
On Wednesday night, León handed Cruz Azul a 3-2 loss in the club’s first Copa MX match of the season. On the one hand, it marked the first goals the Cementeros have scored in Estadio Azteca after three straight shut-outs, while on the other hand the result sank the defending Cup champs to 0-1-2 overall in 2019.
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Coach Pedro Caixinha must figure out a way to inspire his team because the Cementeros travel to Monterrey this weekend to take on the mighty Tigres.
Leones Negros 0, Pumas 2
The Pumas got their first win of the season to take the pressure off of coach David Patiño.
UNAM has struggled on offense during the Clausura 2019 after boasting the second-best offense in Liga MX last season. The Pumas had scored just 1 goal in 3 games, going 0-1-1 in league play and losing 1-0 to Atlas in their Cup opener last week.
Against second division Leones Negros, Felipe Mora collected a nifty low cross from Víctor Malcorra at the back post and calmly slotted home to give the visiting Pumas a lead just before halftime. Mora was at it again in the second half, drawing a penalty in minute 85 and Malcorra converted to clinch the much-needed victory.
Other Wednesday scores
Last season’s Ascenso MX runner-up Sinaloa smacked struggling first division club Querétaro 3-1. The Gallos Blancos are one of three Liga MX teams without a point after two matches, and they seem set for a very long season. On the bright side, Aké Loba – a 20-year-old Ivory Coast striker acquired during the winter transfer window – scored for Querétaro.
In Hermosillo, current Ascenso MX leader Cimarrones of Sonora defeated 10-man UAEM Potros 2-1, but had to sweat to earn the 3 points. The host Cimarrones scored in minute 61, 15 minutes after gaining the man advantage. However, the visiting Potros appeared to have rescued a point when Diego Castellanos blasted home the equalizer just 2 minutes from time. Two minutes into injury time, midfielder Esnyder Mena played the hero, and the Sonora club snatched all 3 points.
Tuesday night Cup results
Necaxa hosted América with a chance to take command of Group D and the Rayos took an early lead when Eduardo Herrera headed home to finish off a nifty play started by right back Brayan Beckeles. Pedro Campos gathered in the long cross in the left side of the box and chipped across to the back side where Herrera had shaken free of his marker. The big striker nodded home for a 1-0 lead in minute 14.
The Rayos protected the lead effectively for nearly 70 minutes but were let down by two of their most senior players. In minute 78, veteran striker Martín Barragan picked up a silly red card when he carelessly flicked at a loose ball and caught Ameríca’s Edson Álvarez in the groin. Five minutes later, Beckeles committed a bad penalty and Cecilio Domínguez converted for the tie.
Three minutes later, Domínguez raced down the left flank on a counterattack and fired a perfect low cross to Henry Martín who knocked home the game-winner. The Aguilas, the reigning Liga MX champs, are determined to fight for their first Copa MX title since 1974.
In Guadalajara, the Chivas continued their perfect start to the season (2-0-0 in Liga MX play and now 2-0-0 in Copa MX) as new acquisition Ronaldo Cisneros announced his intention to challenge for a starting spot by scoring the opener in minute 19, then participating in the clincher early in the second half in an easy 3-0 win over the Cafetaleros of Tapachula.
Cisneros netted the winner against Cruz Azul over the weekend after coming on as a late sub.
Elsewhere, Ascenso MX club Zacatecas defeated visiting first division side Veracruz 2-0 while Tijuana – in last place in Liga MX – could not hold onto a 1-0 lead against second division Atlante as that game ended 1-1. In an all-Ascenso MX clash, host Juárez manhandled Tampico Madero 3-0.