Despite its moniker as the most unpredictable major professional football league in the world, the Mexican Primera Division delivered no major surprises in Week 1 of the 2011 Apertura. Liguilla favorites Chivas Guadalajara, America and Monterrey all won their games while the likes of Santos Laguna, Morelia and Pumas UNAM notched expected wins as well. Cruz Azul delivered a minor surprise to UANL Tigres by playing a negative style and nicking a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Universitario, but that was a minor surprise at best.
Mexican Primera Division, 2011 Apertura, Week 2: Chivas Guadalajara, Club America Look To Continue Good Starts
Will this week’s action deliver a little more in terms of shock value? America and Chivas played in the World Football Challenge in mid-week, while both Morelia and Santos had CONCACAF Champions League matches. All four teams played first choice squads in mid-week, so it will be interesting to see if any of them are tired.
Monterrey vs. Club Tijuana
Saturday, 8:00 P.M. ET
TV: Telemundo
Monterrey struggled to get into the groove early in their match against Jaguares de Chiapas last week, but they looked great once they eventually found their rhythm, cruising to a 4-1 road victory. Tijuana also had a bit of an up and down match at home against Morelia. They looked terrible to start the match, somehow nicked an equalizer after going down 1-0, then were thoroughly outplayed in the second half en route to a 2-1 loss. Monterrey are heavy favorites at the Estadio Tecnologico, but Dayro Moreno is now available for the Xolos and should improve them significantly.
Monarcas Morelia vs. Pumas UNAM
Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET
TV: Azteca America
Pumas let go of a number of their veteran players in the offseason, ushering in a youth movement. Two of their best young players are away at the Under-20 World Cup playing for Mexico, but their lack of depth didn’t hurt them in Week 1 as they defeated San Luis 2-0. At the end of the match, all 11 players on the pitch were Pumas youth products. Morelia also played well in their 2-1 win over Tijuana, but they might be a bit less than 100 percent after a mid-week CCL match against Olimpia. With both teams likely less than completely fit and with less than abundant depth, it will be interesting to see who prevails.
Toluca vs. Club America
Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET
TV: Telemundo
Toluca didn’t make any major acquisitions in the offseason, implying that they’re going through a bit of a rebuilding stage and that they’re counting on their strong coefficient to keep them up through tough times, ala River Plate. Still, they did well to win 2-1 in Week 1 against a tough, though defensively poor Estudiantes Tecos side. America also won 2-1 over Queretaro, but their finishing left something to be desired and they really should have been able to win by three or four goals. America are favorites, but a trip away to Toluca is never easy.
Other Matches
Cruz Azul vs. Atlas - Saturday, 6:00 P.M ET
Queretaro vs. UANL Tigres - 6:00 P.M. ET
Santos Laguna vs. Atlante - 8:00 P.M. ET
San Luis vs. Estudiantes Tecos - 9:45 P.M. ET
Puebla vs. Pachuca - 1:00 P.M. ET
Chivas Guadalajara vs. Jaguares de Chiapas - 6:00 P.M. ET
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