Mexican Primera Division, 2011 Apertura, Week 3: Tecos, UNAM Pumas Capture Big Wins

With the summer departures of Israel Castro, Leandro Augusto and Dante Lopez, a repeat run towards a Mexican Primera title seemed like a virtual impossibility for UNAM Pumas. They lack depth and are being forced to play lots of inexperienced players thus far, but it hasn’t made a difference. Pumas have maximum points from their three games, including tonight’s dramatic and impressive 2-1 win over fellow title contenders Monterrey.

The first half of the match ended 1-1, with Efrain Velarde and Neri Cardozo scoring the goals. Both teams’ star forwards were on display to start the match, with Humberto Suazo and Fransisco Palencia providing the assists and much more as both showed tremendous work ethic, tactical awareness, and creativity.

The match between Monterrey and Pumas UNAM is living up to the billing so far, with both teams putting on a show in a great match that’s tied up 1-1 at halftime. Unfortunately, less people than usual have been able to see the match because of the geniuses at the FMF who scheduled Club America and Pumas home games on the same night, causing an unbelievable traffic hell. Those who did make it to the ground got to see great goals by Efrain Velarde and Neri Cardozo, and the second half promises to be just as entertaining.

Velarde opened the scoring in the 26th minute, running onto a fantastic through ball from ‘Paco’ Fransisco Palencia before finishing past Jonathan Orozco. Despite Palencia’s advanced age of 38, he’s been in great form to start the season and he’s looking like Pumas’ main creative force at present.

After an average first half that saw Club America go into the locker room as 1-0 leaders over Estudiantes Tecos, the visitors have engineered an incredible comeback and a 2-1 victory at the Estadio Azteca. America completely lost their composure in the second half, picking up two red cards and missing a penalty en route to a collapse and a loss.

Tecos’ goals were both from dead balls, but both were absolute stunners. The equalizer was scored by Jorge Zamogilny, who put in a ridiculous header off of an indirect free kick, and the winner came on a curling 20 yard direct free kick from Rubens Sambueza, who entered the game at halftime as a substitute.

The terrible Estudiantes Tecos defense strikes again. The first 45 minutes of the Mexican Primera match between Tecos and Club America looks exactly like one might have expected it to based on the first two games that both teams played. Tecos are decent in the middle of the pitch and are hanging with a lackluster America side, but a terrible defensive error has gifted the Super Aguilas a 1-0 halftime lead.

Mario Perez was the goal scorer, and if you’re not too familiar with Mexican football or either team, Mario Perez is a defender for Tecos. in the 35th minute, Oscar Rojas sent a cross into the box, looking for the head of ‘Chucho’ Cristian Benitez, but overshot his man. Thankfully for Rojas and America, Perez was off in la la land and headed the ball towards his own net, beating his own keeper and giving America the lead.

The middle of this week features a nearly complete slate of fixtures in the Mexican Primera. Both Santos Laguna and Monarcas Morelia are playing in the CONCACAF Champions League while Chivas Guadalajara are playing FC Barcelona in a friendly, but there are a total of 12 teams in action in six games on Wednesday night. UNAM Pumas vs. Monterrey is almost certainly the highlight of the night, while Club America vs. Estudiantes Tecos in the early match should also be worth watching.

Estudiantes Tecos vs. Club America