Week nine in the Mexican Primera Division brings us through the halfway point of the Bicentenario 2010 season. While the dark cloud of Salvador Cabanas’s off-field tragedy still looms, results on the field have produced several notable storylines. There have been bright spots (Chicharito’s offensive explosion), disappointments (the struggles of Cruz Azul), stellar team play (from Chivas and Monterrey), and surprises (Santos leading Group 3). This weekend’s fixtures, while short on marquee match-ups, do feature crucial tests for several clubs at possible turning points in their campaigns (Pachuca and Cruz Azul, especially). While Chivas is running away with the lead in Group 1, the tables in both Groups 2 and 3 are still tight, and the postseason race remains wide open.
Monterrey vs. Pachuca
Saturday, 6pm eastern (Telemundo and Mun2)
The weekend’s best match-up brings with it huge implications on the standings of Group 2. Monterrey currently leads the group with 19 points, and have been in especially impressive form of late with four wins in their last four games. Pachuca, after starting the season strong, come into this game on their heels after going winless over the past three weeks (including two shutout defeats at home). Especially troubling has been the play of Pachuca’s defense. Over the past two games, the team has allowed two goals to the lowly Jaguares, followed by the embarrassment of giving up three goals in the first 24 minutes against Pumas. Clearly, the backline must do better against Monterrey.
Miguel Calero and the Pachuca defense look to right the ship against Monterrey. (Photo: Newscom)
Pachuca’s offense must also get back on track for this game to be competitive. Manager Guillermo Rivarola’s constant tinkering with the lineup and formations over the past several games seems to have hurt production, with Pachuca going scoreless in their last two home games. Now on the road against Monterrey at Estadio Tecnologico (always a difficult place to play), it is imperative that Pachuca put the ball in the net if they want any chance at a positive result.
In a table as difficult as Group 2, every game is crucial. Pachuca do not want to duplicate their finish in the Apertura, where they just missed out on making the Liguilla playoffs. This fixture will go a long way in determining Pachuca’s postseason fate, as well as the group standings as a whole.
Jaguares de Chiapas vs. Chivas de Guadalajara
Saturday, 6pm eastern (Fox Sports Espanol, Azteca America)
Can anyone stop El Chicharito? (Photo: Newscom)
How long can Chivas stay on their current hot streak? Having won eight games in a row, the best start in league history, the team has shown no signs of slowing down. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has eight goals in his seven league games played, and continued his impressive form for the national team, scoring a goal in the midweek friendly against New Zealand.
At the bottom of their group, and seemingly out of the postseason race already, Jaguares will be looking for their first win of the season, as well as their first win at home in almost a full year. While the results haven’t been there, the offense does seem to be finally turning the corner. Chiapas have managed five goals in their last two games, a 2-2 tie with Pachuca and a 3-3 draw against Puebla. The speedy attacking tandem of Columbian striker Jackson Martinez and Brazilian midfielder Danilinho has produced exciting play going forward, and both have improved with every game. Can the Jaguares manage a result against the league’s best team? Unlikely. Look for the explosive Chivas offense of Chicharito, Omar Bravo, and Adolfo “Bofo” Bautista to make easy work of the weak Jaguares defense.
San Luis vs. Cruz Azul
Saturday, 8pm eastern (Telefutura)
The big question coming into this match-up is can Cruz Azul build on the momentum gained from their impressive win last week against Atlas? The struggles of la Maquina have been well documented this season, but against Atlas they were finally able to break through offensively with 3 goals (after scoring only 2 in the first seven games of the season combined). After scoring his first goal of the campaign in the game against Atlas, last season’s scoring leader Emanuel Villa will also look to continue out of his slump. Goalkeeper Jesus Corona may make his first return to the pitch for Cruz Azul after sitting out four straight games due to off the field legal issues. Yosgart Gutierrez has played well filling in as starter in the net, though, so the decision may not be an easy one.
San Luis will be trying for important points at home, as they hope to stay alive in Group 1. To do this, Panamanian striker Blas Perez will need to come alive offensively. San Luis desperately needs Perez, who has only one goal to date, to break out and carry his share of the scoring load.
UNAM Pumas vs. Puebla
Sunday, 1 pm eastern (Telemundo)
Herculez Gomez looks to help power Puebla past Pumas. (Photo: Newscom)
Pumas, just two points behind Group 3 leaders Santos, look to improve on their impressive 3-0 win over Pachuca last weekend with another positive result. Puebla, on the other hand, simply look to stay alive in the difficult Group 2. Currently in fifth place in the group, five points behind fourth place America, Puebla desperately need a result to keep any postseason hopes in place. Coming off a 3-3 draw with Jaguares in which they finished with nine men on the field, Puebla will be without defenders Manuel Lopez Mondragon and Marco Antonio Capetillo as they serve their red card suspensions.
It hasn’t all been bad this season for Puebla. One surprising force has been American Herculez Gomez, who has scored four goals on the season despite mainly being used off the bench. Coming in as a first half substitute against Jaguares, Gomez swung the game back towards Puebla, delivering beautiful service into the box, and scoring the tying goal in the 87th minute. Gomez will look to duplicate that performance against Pumas, this time though hoping for a greatly needed three points.
Indios de Ciudad Juarez vs. UANL Tigres
Sunday, 3pm eastern (Azteca America)
This match-up pits the two teams at the absolute bottom of the relegation standings against each other. Indios will need a miracle string of results to avoid the drop, but could start a positive run here against Tigres. This will also be the first game for Indios following the firing of their manager Jose Trevino. How the team responds to the coaching change is the biggest unknown factor in this game. Any type of result, though, would be a positive step for either team.
Other Games:
Morelia vs. Estudiantes Tecos
Saturday, 8pm eastern (Azteca America)
Atlas vs. Toluca
Saturday, 10pm eastern (Telemundo)
Santos Laguna vs. Atlante
Sunday, 5pm eastern (Telefutura)
Club America vs. Queretaro Gallos Blancos
Sunday, 5pm eastern (Univision)
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