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Monterrey’s Funes Mori earns Player of the Week honors

By Jahir M. Martinez

Rogelio Funes Mori of Monterrey celebrates after scoring the third goal for his team during the 4th round match between Monterrey and America as part of the Torneo Clausura 2019 Liga MX at BBVA Bancomer Stadium on January 26, 2019 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Alfredo Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Rogelio Funes Mori of Monterrey celebrates after scoring the third goal for his team during the 4th round match between Monterrey and America as part of the Torneo Clausura 2019 Liga MX at BBVA Bancomer Stadium on January 26, 2019 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Alfredo Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Monterrey striker scores a brace to help end America’s 23-game streak.

Rogelio Funes Mori was named  Liga Bancomer MX Player of the Week after the games of Matchday 4 with a brilliant performance that featured two goals as he constantly threatened the America defense. Monterrey defeated the reining champions, who had not lost since Aug. 22 of last year.

The Liga MX Game of the Week took place Saturday night at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer in Monterrey and it lived up to the billing. There was plenty of drama from the first minute of the game until the final whistle which came with the home team holding a 3-2 advantage.

The game suffered from a variety of poor calls by the ref: four red cards, controversial rulings even after consulting the VAR and questionable penalties. The game was further complicated by a steady rain that began late in the first half, but all these factors did not detract from the brilliant performance by Monterrey’s 27-year-old  striker Rogelio Funes Mori. He netted two goals in the second half that pushed the Rayados into a 3-1 lead, and the advantage held up as Monterrey defeated America 3-2, the Aguilas first loss in 24 matches.

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The Argentinian striker had a total of 4 shots, 3 of which were on target , he was successful in four of 5 dribbles, and he completed 12 of his 17 passes. His most impressive stat was 14/20 duels won.

Funes Mori’s first goal gave Monterrey a 2-1 lead in minute 67. At the time, both teams were down to 9 men, so there was plenty of space to operate and lots of end-to-end action. The striker was unmarked just outside the box as teammate Carlos Rodriguez made a move to his right, but lost the ball. Funes Mori raced in to collect and firmly slotted home as Edson Alvarez tried to close down.

Three minutes later, Funes Mori scored a brilliant goal to move the Rayados into a 3-1 lead, gathering in a cross near the penalty spot, then feinting twice as two America defenders flashed by to block shots that weren’t taken. Funes Mori had barely moved from the spot he first touched the ball and had eluded two defenders; all the lanky striker had to do was calmly knock the ball into the net and the home crowd went crazy.

Funes Mori now has four goals on the season, tied for first place with fellow Argentine Leonardo Ramos of Lobos BUAP. Also, Monterrey sits in first place with 10 points from 4 matches and an impressive 12 goals, by far the most in the Liga MX.

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