Out of the 8 teams, who seems stronger to take the title? America: Lost the great style when they lost their unbeatable streak: after losing to the Jags, they fell to Veracruz because they forgot how to score (and a couple of defensive distractions). The next 5 games, they beat the bottom 3 of the league (yawn), beat Cruz Azul without really being superior and decided that the last game wasn't worth playing. Let's see it doesn't affect their rhythm. Monterrey: Tied their first away match, lost the second and won the remaining 6. Among these away victories were the pre-Tena Jaguares, San Luis and Atlante. They beat Cruz Azul after the referee showed red cards to 2 cementeros. At home, they were unimpressive: 4 victories, including last round against America 'B', and 4 ties (lost to Pachuca week 1). I think Rayados wish they could play home first then away this Liguilla, based on what they did during the reg. season. Best end-of-the-season team. Necaxa: Same old story: team slowed down after qualifying. Lost the last 2 games. The Morenos have played a little under the radar lately; if they wake up again, they will be the toughest team. NOTE: being the toughest doesn't mean they are automatically going to win it all. Diego Martinez and Perez make the best wings/wingbacks at this moment, and Ruso Peña holds the team together in the middle. Cruz Azul: This is a dilemma. I really have no idea how good they will be. I do know that Romano will go nuts at some point and the whole team will collapse with them. Maybe during QF, maybe during the final, but there is too much tension in the club. Of the Liguilla teams, they beat #7 and 8 only (Tecos and Tigres) and tied with Pachuca in the last match, when both teams were qualified and were risking nothing. Lost to the other 4 teams (I already talked about the Mty and America clashes, but they weren't better in those games anyway). Toluca: I don't think there is enough experience in the team to go past the quarterfinals. I mean, there are a lot of newer players and the group doesn't seem glued together to win the Cup. Plus, there is no single player "que pueda echarse el equipo al hombro". Maybe Vicente Sanchez? However, they have a goalie with lots of Liguillas and solid defense. I never liked Rengo Diaz and I don't even know where Rosada comes from, or how many games he played with Toluca. Carlos Esquivel? Is he the 20/11 guy? And Abundis: lol. Vicente Sanchez and Zinha could give Toluca the 1-goal difference win, tho. Pachuca: Very similar to Toluca, Calero and a 2 central defenders from 100 years ago (Vidrio and de Anda) could hold the fort to win 1-0 at home, and 0-0 away. Chitiva got red carded last game, and Cuevas injured. They will miss the first leg against Necaxa. I wasn't too thrilled about this quarterifnals matchup, anyway Tecos: Ludueña seems to be back after being on vacation mid-season. This could pull Tecos over the line to reach the final again. Near the end of the tourney, they started to lok like that Tecos that was finalist last year. Will they do it again? My guess: Maybe finalist, not champion. Tigres: We all were thinking about next season! Silvera, for instance, started his vacation earlier (I heard he is being transferred btw). Stupid Santos and Chivas losing, and silly Jaguares not using a kid put us in the Liguilla. Boo. At least the America-Tigres matches are usually exciting.
In my opinion, America still looks stronger than all of the other teams. I really dont see a big threat against America, except for Monterrey...and maybey Toluca.
I dunno, to me America looks cake thus far, good start, not an exciting finish. Necaxa did well, Monterrey.....mmm...Tigres maybe, Tecos? Probably Not. Toluca mmm Same as Tecos. Cruz Azul, ever since Romanos Return, they haven't been as impressive, Isaac had better results.
Good writeup (in English!) of the Liguilla: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/luis_bueno/11/28/mexico.playoffs/index.html
Can someone help me out? I'm obviously missing something. Why is Tigres in the liguilla and not Jaguares?
Jaguares lost 3 points due to the fact that they didn't comply to the "La Regla Del Los 756 Minutos" The team didn't complete those minutes with a player under 20 years and 11 months.
Tomorrow for Telefutura, my friend. Check the Apertura TV thread out. Tonight's games were always listed as on Azteca.
Pachuca 1 - 0 Necaxa Min. 32 Pachuca is playing better than Necaxa right now. Gol de Landin. It was a nice one. Landin is playing pretty good.
yeah, my guide said the same. said "teams tba" but had some cheesy movie instead monterrey game was on azteca though, i think nexcaxa just missed a really good chance
fvck that bitch lopez zarza. He put the most fvked up alineacion he could have put. boli and vitola as centrales? chava as a volante? If we dont pass, this is some of his fault. tressor fvcked it up as well.