Liga MX Liguilla playoffs: Weekend looking dull after Toluca, Tijuana win away

A questionable penalty call has Chivas heading into the second leg of their Liguilla tie against Toluca with a chance to advance, but they’re still in a massive hole. Two early goals, along with a great goalkeeper by Alfredo Talavera has the Red Devils heading home up 2-1, and they’ll be heavy favorites to advance with two away goals and the higher seed tiebreaker.

Antonio Rios netted the opener after 25 minutes, turning in a cross by Lucas Silva. Luis Tejada was pushed off the ball in the center of the box and might have had a legitimate penalty shout, but the ball ran through to the back post where Rios was there to finish. Five minutes later, Toluca captain Sinha scored on a fantastic 25-yard direct free kick, doubling his side’s lead.

Monterrey barely snuck into Liguilla, and it appears that they’ll be making a quick exit. For 87 minutes, they held onto a draw against Tijuana, but Greg Garza struck late to give the Xolos a 1-0 lead heading to the home leg of the quarterfinal tie. With an away goal in the bag and a higher seed, it’s tough to see Monterrey coming back, especially given Tijuana’s impeccable home record.

The absences of Jesus Zavala and Humberto Suazo were felt throughout the match, as Monterrey failed to create scoring chances. Tijuana’s were few and far between as well, as Monterrey controlled possession, even if they did very little with it. Before their winning goal, the Xolos’ most notable chance came on a first half free kick, nodded in by Joshua Abrego, but he was flagged for offside and the goal was disallowed.

This will not be the year that Monarcas Morelia ends their title drought. Even while at home, they attempted to sit back and hit Club America quickly on the counter attack in the first leg of their Liguilla series. It didn’t work, and America eventually ran out 2-0 winners thanks to two goals by ‘Chucho’ Cristian Benitez.

Away goals is the first tiebreaker in Liguilla, followed by seed, so Morelia will have to score three times at Estadio Azteca to have a chance to progress to the semifinal. For all intents and purposes, their tournament is over and America will be going through.

Cruz Azul will be happy to head into the second leg of their Liguilla quarterfinal with a lead, but their position is far from secure. While Liga MX does not use seed as the first tiebreaker in the quarterfinals anymore, they’re still in trouble on the away goals tiebreaker after allowing Club Leon to score. However, thanks to the heroics of Jose Corona, the visitors only netted once in a 2-1 Cruz Azul win.

Leon conceded multiple set pieces early, and was made to pay for one in the 17th minute. ‘Chaco’ Christian Gimenez delivered a perfect ball into the center of the box to set up the opener for Gerardo Flores, who jumped over his marker to nod past Christian Martinez, putting Cruz Azul in front. Martinez reacted very slowly on the goal, but redeemed himself three minutes later when he saved a penalty.

Partially due to availability of players and partially for tactical reasons, Monarcas Morelia and Club America have both made significant changes to their defense for their Liguilla clash. America are without defender Aquivaldo Mosquera, who is on international duty, and will play with a back four for the first time since their loss to Chivas Guadalajara in the Super Clasico. Morelia, who beat Santos Laguna in a crucial Liguilla decider last week, switch from a back four to a back three.

Club America lineup (4-2-3-1): Moises Munoz; Adrian Aldrete, Diego Reyes, Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Paul Aguilar; Jesus Molina, Juan Carlos Medina; Jose Cardenas, Daniel Montenegro, Raul Jimenez; Cristian Benitez

Cruz Azul’s team is as expected for their near must-win Liguilla match against Club Leon, but there are some mild surprises in the visitors’ team. There’s nothing outrageous in Gustavo Matosas’ team, but they’ve made one switch, opting to solidify their midfield by bringing in Hernan Burbano for striker Matias Britos.

Cruz Azul lineup (4-2-3-1): Jose Corona; Julio Cesar Dominguez, Alejandro Castro, Jair Pereira, Gerardo Flores; Israel Castro, Gerardo Torrado; Alejandro Vela, Christian Gimenez, Javier Aquino; Mariano Pavone

Two years ago, Tijuana Xolos were promoted to the top flight of Mexican football and put together an up-and-down, but mostly impressive first year in the first division. This year, they’re in Liguilla as second-placed finishers in the regular season. Club Leon won promotion last year, and was comfortably in Liguilla weeks ago. Both hold tiebreakers in the first round as they attempt to navigate a loaded playoff field.

The Apertura’s superliders, who don’t have to deal with a freshly-broken curse, are Toluca. They’re all the way back from their post-Chepo departure decline, and will look to repeat Santos Laguna’s feat of leading the regular season, then winning Liguilla in the last tournament.