A penalty kick from Ramon Morales in the 53rd minute and an Omar Bravo goal in the 61st minute at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico have given Chivas a two goal advantage over Club America going into the second leg of the Mexican League semi-finals this Sunday at Azteca Stadium.
After an even first half Chivas struck twice in 7 minutes early in the second half yet the hero on the night was Chivas goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez who secured the two goal advantage and denied a road goal to Club America after saving a late penalty kick from Salvador Cabanas of Club America. Both penalties were controversial.
Club America’s Cuauhetemoc Blanco was a not factor and head coach Luis Tena elected to bring on former Argentine international Claudio Lopez in the second half who also did not factor .
Club America will be without workmanlike midfielder German Villa after he was given a second yellow card late in the match. Down two goals Club America will have the responsibility of carrying the attack at home on Sunday.
Adolfo Bautista was visibly upset with Chivas coach De La Torre after being subbed out near the end of the match and had to be restrained on the bench.
Watching the second half of the game last night it had a similar feel to the Dynamo-Chivas game 1 in LA. CA had some chances (including a point blank header that went wide) and the penalty kick save was huge as going back down 2 vs. 1 is a huge swing. That looked like a big makeup call BTW. It’s hard to bunker down for 90 like MLS Chivas did with only a one goal lead but up two you can just bunker and counter.
As a disclaimer, I do not really follow Mexican soccer other than glancing at the standings but I love playoff soccer at any level and having gone to the CA-Barca match in July my curiosity was piqued. In addition, I think interest in the Mexican league will grow among the English-speaking soccer public if the MLS-Mexican league tourney and Concacaf cups are made into bigger events.
Comment by JJ — December 1, 2006 @ 2:23 pm