FMF State Of Mind - All PostsMexican Futbol News and Commentaryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50265/fmf-fav.png2024-03-16T11:30:00-07:00http://www.fmfstateofmind.com/rss/current/2024-03-16T11:30:00-07:002024-03-16T11:30:00-07:00Mexico announce two U-20 friendlies and call-up squad
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<img alt="Atletico San Luis v Chivas - Torneo Clausura 2024 Liga MX" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ly9nsfTp8SBwkthyOh1flatOVmY=/0x0:4629x3086/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212014/1983634196.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Simon Barber/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Mexico will play games against Honduras and Costa Rica, with both matches taking place in Toluca.</p> <p id="GyYS4i">Mexico have announced two friendlies for their U-20 team to be played in the March FIFA break as they prepare to play in the 2024 U-20 CONCACAF Championship which will be played in Mexico in the summer. Mexico will face off against Honduras on March 21st and then will play Costa Rica on March 25th. They’ll continue the preparation under manager Eduardo Arce after winning the Torneo del Sol earlier in the year.</p>
<p id="L3Wfds">The call-up list for Arce’s team is the following:</p>
<p id="8lW6TQ"><strong>Goalkeepers</strong>: Emmanuel Ochoa (San Jose Earthquakes), Luis Ramirez (Leon)</p>
<p id="lI9E5Z"><strong>Defenders</strong>: Everardo Lopez (Toluca), Ricardo Juarez (Juarez), Ari Contreras (Pachuca), Francisco Mendez (Chivas), Daniel Marquez (Necaxa), Diego Ochoa (Chivas), Luis Carrillo (Mazatlan), Rodrigo Pachuca (Puebla)</p>
<p id="NFPGBt"><strong>Midfielders:</strong> Yael Padilla (Chivas), Andres Heredia (Stromsgodset), Elias Montiel (Pachuca), Jonantan Villal (Atletico San Luis), Amaury Morales (Cruz Azul), Diego Sanchez (Tigres), Brandon Tellez (Chivas), Jesus Serrato (Atlas)</p>
<p id="oYhrZB"><strong>Forwards</strong>: Alex Alcala (<a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a>), Thiago Gigena (Newell’s Old Boys), Mauricio Medrano (Sporting de Gijon), Matheus Reis (Fluminense), Alexei Dominguez (Pachuca)</p>
<p id="ryC1rw">After the call-up list came out, it was announced that Reis will miss the matches because of injury and Mateo Levy (Cruz Azul) will take his place.</p>
https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2024/3/16/24101554/mexico-national-team-announce-two-u-20-friendlies-and-call-up-squadrhzunam802024-03-16T10:15:00-07:002024-03-16T10:15:00-07:00Mexicans Abroad: How to Watch
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<img alt="Houston Dynamo v Los Angeles Football Club: Western Conference Final - 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/990najOXAtiQWrt82TjXcZaLQ1Y=/0x0:5000x3333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211882/1838393768.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Melinda Meijer/ISI Photos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>All the details you need to know for this weekend's matches.</p> <p id="3lAkQI"><strong>MLS</strong></p>
<p id="th29oB">-Hector Herrera<strong> </strong>- <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/?_gl=1*1vat3b8*">Houston Dynamo</a> vs. Portland</p>
<p id="x4UjPF">Saturday March 16, 2024 - 5:30 PM PT/7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM - Apple TV</p>
<p id="05aVH2">-Carlos Vela - Unattached </p>
<p id="2pC6an">-Omar Campos - LAFC vs. Minnesota</p>
<p id="jNzyI7">Saturday March 16, 2024 - 5:30 PM PT/7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM ET - Apple TV</p>
<p id="pbGmUA"><strong>La Liga</strong></p>
<p id="A2a607">-Cesar Montes - Almeria vs. Las Palmas</p>
<p id="frGjcS">Sunday March 17, 2024 - 8:15 AM PT/10:15 AM CT/11:15 AM ET - ESPN+, FuboTV, Sky HD (MEX)</p>
<p id="tvoszV">-Julian Araujo - UD Las Palmas vs. Almeria</p>
<p id="9Jcqnf">Sunday March 17, 2024 - 8:15 AM PT/10:15 AM CT/11:15 AM ET - ESPN+, FuboTV, Sky HD (MEX)</p>
<p id="7Kfbiz">-Esteban Lozano - Sporting Gijon vs. Alcorcon</p>
<p id="yTCTSq">Saturday March 16, 2024 - 1:00 PM PT/3:00 PM CT/4:00 PM ET - No broadcast available </p>
<p id="Xkqghj"><strong>Eredivisie</strong></p>
<p id="95ImGR">-Santiago Gimenez - Feyenoord vs. Heerenveen</p>
<p id="XNKtPG">Sunday March 17, 2024 - 6:30 AM PT/8:30 AM CT/9:30 AM ET - ESPN+</p>
<p id="Wx5y2J">-Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano - PSV vs. Twente</p>
<p id="DNBYZw">Sunday March 17, 2024 - 12:00 PM PT/2:00 PM CT/3:00 PM ET - ESPN+</p>
<p id="cd39oo"><strong>Premier League</strong> </p>
<p id="w7JlDW">-Raul Jimenez - <a href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/?_gl=1*1xj8xg7*">Fulham FC</a> vs. <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/?_gl=1*6xh2u*">Tottenham </a></p>
<p id="zMyxNN">Saturday March 16, 2024 - 10:30 AM PT/12:30 PM CT/1:30 PM ET - USA Network, Telemundo Deportes, NBC Sports, FuboTV, SlingTV, Paramount+ (MEX)</p>
<p id="EjtQK5">-Edson Alvarez - <a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/?_gl=1*wnoy7*">West Ham</a> vs. <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/?_gl=1*1c6tmh8*">Aston Villa</a></p>
<p id="ia1JyE">Sunday March 17, 2024 - 7:00 AM PT/9:00 AM CT/10:00 AM ET - Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes, NBC Sports, FuboTV, SlingTV, USA Network, Paramount+ (MEX)</p>
<p id="0nS65I"><strong>Super League Greece 1</strong> </p>
<p id="rDCxOX">-Orbelin Pineda - AEK Athens - Break</p>
<p id="hYUHBL">-Rodolfo Pizarro -AEK Athens - Break</p>
<p id="kdOu1G"><strong>Serie A</strong></p>
<p id="YYSKLo">-Johan Vasquez - Genoa vs. <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/?_gl=1*180j91p*">Juventus</a></p>
<p id="Iuj243">Sunday March 17, 2024 - 4:30 AM PT/6:30 AM CT/7:30 AM ET - Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, FuboTV, Star+ (MEX)</p>
<p id="l3Q6oJ">-Guillermo Ochoa - Salernitana vs. Lecce </p>
<p id="ffRZGp">Saturday March 16, 2024 - 10:00 AM PT/12:00 PM CT/1:00 PM ET - Paramount+, Star+ (MEX)</p>
<p id="0tg5eE"><strong>Russian Premier League</strong> </p>
<p id="j173Wt">Luis Chavez - Dynamo Moscow - Break</p>
<p id="qKN6hK"><strong>Primeira Liga</strong> </p>
<p id="H9uYRy">Jorge Sanchez - FC Porto vs. Vizela</p>
<p id="JFtuRW">Saturday March 16, 2024 - 1:30 PM PT/3:30 PM CT/4:30 PM ET - FuboTV, Fanatiz, GolTV USA, GolTV Español, GolTV Latinoamerica (MEX)</p>
<p id="Ecehts"><em>Women’s Side</em></p>
<p id="ZWkkID"><a href="https://www.allforxi.com"><strong>NWSL</strong></a> </p>
<p id="MEEDQK">Maria Sanchez - <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/?_gl=1*1gbi7uh*">Houston Dash</a> vs. <a href="https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/">North Carolina Courage</a> </p>
<p id="l6iJMv">Saturday March 16, 2024 - 4:00 PM PT/6:00 PM CT/7:00 PM ET - NWSL+</p>
<p id="6WXUwZ">Diana Ordoñez - Houston Dash vs. North Carolina Courage </p>
<p id="679nyM">Saturday March 16, 2024 - 4:00 PM PT/6:00 PM CT/7:00 PM ET - NWSL+</p>
<p id="6YeM6c">Emily Alvarado - Houston Dash vs. North Carolina Courage</p>
<p id="kXRvlB">Saturday March 16, 2024 - 4:00 PM PT/6:00 PM CT/7:00 PM ET - NWSL+</p>
<p id="NOjIug">Scarlett Camberos - The Bay FC vs. Angel City FC</p>
<p id="9GphUi">Sunday March 17, 2024 - 4:30 PM PT/6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET - NWSL+</p>
<p id="baxlTY"><strong>Liga F </strong></p>
<p id="sr4njR">Kenti Robles -<a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/?_gl=1*1ewt8lu*"> Real Madrid</a> vs. Eibar</p>
<p id="Tc1zG4">Saturday March 16, 2024 - 12:00 PM PT/2:00 PM CT/3:00 PM ET - DAZN</p>
<p id="FTPyUe">Jimena Lopez - Valencia vs. Athletic Club</p>
<p id="mpknzG">Sunday March 17, 2024 - 10:00 AM PT/12:00 PM CT/2:00 PM ET - DAZN</p>
<p id="EcMkC3">With so many Mexicans playing abroad, there may have been some news missed. If you feel that is the case, reach out and let us know. See you next week!</p>
https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2024/3/16/24101475/mexicans-abroad-how-to-watch-soccermelissacastro2024-03-16T10:05:00-07:002024-03-16T10:05:00-07:00Mexico announce call up list for U-23 friendlies against Argentina
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<img alt="Chivas v Athletic Club - Friendly Match" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qsVBPVLYe54m4XnU2zylqWLfIGM=/30x0:3071x2027/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211866/1549827511.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Mexico will face Argentina twice in Mexico on March 22 and 25th.</p> <p id="Al5ZHr">Mexico have announced the call ups for the U-23 team that will be playing two friendlies against Argentina in March. Mexico will play two home friendlies against Paris 2024 bound Argentina during the March FIFA dates. Coach Ricardo Cadena will take on their first two matches since Mexico’s participation in the 2023 Pan American games, where Mexico won the bronze medal.</p>
<p id="u9IcVt">The call up list is the following:</p>
<p id="CfcVFK"><strong>Goalkeepers</strong>: Alex Padilla (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Tapia (Queretaro)</p>
<p id="1orLti"><strong>Defenders</strong>: Omar Campos (LAFC), Rodrigo Huescas (Cruz Azul), Ramon Juarez (America), Jesus Alcantar (Necaxa), Jorge Berlanga (Pachuca), Pablo Monroy (Pumas),Emilio Lara (America) , Mateo Chavez (Chivas), </p>
<p id="bVof3Y"><strong>Midfielders</strong>: Andres Montaño (Mazatlan), Marcelo Flores (Tigres), Rodrigo Lopez (Pumas), Alan Bautista (Pachuca), Diego Medina (Santos), Diego Gomez (Necaxa), Ramiro Arciga (Mazatlan), Sebastian Fierro (Tigres)</p>
<p id="UprqmS"><strong>Forwards</strong>: Ozziel Herrera (Tigres), Santiago Muñoz (Santos), Ettson Ayon (Queretaro), Jordan Carrillo (Santos), Efrain Alvarez (Tijuana), Bryan Gonzalez (Pachuca)</p>
<p id="ALmhZb">The most notable call up is the first call up for Alex Padilla to the Mexican National team. Padilla plays for Athletic de Bilbao and had been called up for Spain’s U19 team but was last called up for a Spanish Youth NT in 2022. As he has the Mexican nationality thru his mother, Padilla has always been rumored to be in the Mexico’s NT radar and this call up will please a lot of fans. Other notable call ups are players like Alan Bautista, who has been having a great season with Pachuca, and just exported to MLS, Omar Campos.</p>
<p id="5jwTCK">Mexico will face off against Argentina twice in March. On March 22nd, Mexico will have their first friendly against Argentina in Mazatlan and then they end series with a match in Puebla on March 25th. Argentina’s start their preparation under Javier Mascherano for the 2024 Olympic games after qualifying to the tournament in February. Mexico missed out on the tournament after losing in the Quarterfinals of the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship after CONCACAF decided that the tournament gave the tickets to the 2022 U-20 World Cup and the Olympic games. Mexico missed out on both tournament with the loss.</p>
https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2024/3/16/24100382/mexico-national-team-announce-call-up-list-for-u-23-friendlies-against-argentinarhzunam802024-03-16T09:56:00-07:002024-03-16T09:56:00-07:00América advance to next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup despite loss to Chivas
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<img alt="America v Chivas - Concacaf Champions Cup 2024" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RXDpko-OK1UTNCOnEHwGm2S_ZgM=/0x0:3200x2133/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211828/2082583317.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Águilas had a first half to forget, but came back to life in the second half. While they lost the game 2-3, they won 5-3 on aggregate and moved forward in the competition. </p> <p id="8JD9ct">Club América lost the match against Chivas, but still secured their spot in the next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup due to aggregate. An own-goal by Alan Mozo in the second half erased any kind of momentum the visitors had and gave it to the Aguilas who would then go on to score again in the 60th minute. Now both teams will clash again this coming weekend as they play each other this Saturday back in Guadalajara. </p>
<p id="OJI38y">This game was not only a must-win for Chivas, but a game where they would need multiple goals to move onto the next round so this was going to be an intense one. Right off the bat within the first minute Henry Martin committed a foul against Ricardo Marin. A few minutes later Fernando ‘El Oso’ Gonzalez committed his own foul on Julian Quiñones that didn’t lead to anything serious for the visitors. A minute later Chivas was close to scoring when ‘El Oso’ took his own shot towards goal that hit the crossbar. Their opportunity finally came in the 12th minute when Cade Cowell put the visitors on the scoreboard. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡Cade Cowell anota y Chivas se pone en ventaja en el Azteca, acortando la brecha a 1-3 en el global! ⚽ <a href="https://t.co/jWjlfdKyUC">pic.twitter.com/jWjlfdKyUC</a></p>— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChampions/status/1768106790594511045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="oEgM0Y">Mozo sent in a ball into the box where Cowell was left open to jump up and head the ball towards the back of the net. No one was marking him and all he had to do was put the ball on frame. América had their own chance to tie it up when Jonathan dos Santos attempted a shot from outside the box that went just wide of goal. Alvaro Fidalgo attempted his own a few moments later but it also went just wide of goal. A few minutes later in the 20th, Henry Martin had his own chance at goal but it was blocked for a corner. In that corner Igor Lichnovsky also attempted a header that went wide. It was incredible just how many chances the home team had let go in the first 25 minutes of the game. Those missed opportunities came to bite them when Chivas doubled their lead. </p>
<div id="Gm1pXW">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡Ricardo Marín la manda al fondo de la red y <a href="https://twitter.com/Chivas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chivas</a> se pone a uno de distancia en el marcador global (2-3)! <a href="https://t.co/dR2yHVvNOa">pic.twitter.com/dR2yHVvNOa</a></p>— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChampions/status/1768111860576883088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="vLtFCE">Roberto Alvarado sent in a ball into the box where Ricardo Marin was there to head it towards the goal to put the visitors up 2-0. Chivas still had a chance to advance to the next round as América had no answers. In the 37th minute the home team had a chance to score as Diego Valdés sent a ball straight to Cristian ‘Chicote’ Calderon who missed a clear chance. Before the half ended Henry Martin had his own chance to score but his shot went just wide. It was a half to forget for the Aguilas. </p>
<p id="6iYMoT">Just as it looked like Chivas was going to score another goal at the start of the second half, momentum shifted with an own-goal by Mozo. </p>
<div id="zmYGfK">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡América se va 4-2 arriba en el marcador global!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ConcaChampions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ConcaChampions</a> <a href="https://t.co/AVk6qHROJv">pic.twitter.com/AVk6qHROJv</a></p>— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChampions/status/1768121331483021409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="n5Fqb0">It looked like Mozo attempted to kick the ball out of danger as Valdés and Quiñones made their way into the box but instead of going out the ball went past Oscar Whalley and into his own net. The Aguilas were now back in the game and were ready to take over and they did just that. By the 60th minute Chivas had panicked while América pushed forward and that was how their second goal came about. </p>
<div id="2Uai5o">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡Gol de América! Alejandro Zendejas iguala el marcador y sitúa el global en 5-2 a favor! ⚽ <a href="https://t.co/zQojawT7Cp">pic.twitter.com/zQojawT7Cp</a></p>— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChampions/status/1768123434926473227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="x3DdH8">Israel Reyes got a ball into the area that Henry Martin was not able to get into the net because Whalley was there to block it but Valdés was there for the rebound ball that he passed to an unmarked Alejandro Zendejas. Zendejas tapped the ball in and it looked like Chivas’ comeback had fallen apart. That was until the 63rd minute. </p>
<div id="CI0CYq">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="es" dir="ltr"> ⚽ ¡Roberto Alvarado vuelve a descontar para <a href="https://twitter.com/Chivas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chivas</a>! (Global 5-3)<br><br> EN VIVO por TUDN <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/bCB03J0alu">https://t.co/bCB03J0alu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionsCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChampionsCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/tPIkObrBrO">pic.twitter.com/tPIkObrBrO</a></p>— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TUDNUSA/status/1768123730994049139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="1aWUxa">Alvarado scored their third goal of the night on another header and just like that it looked like their comeback was back on. It was going to be difficult but it was not impossible and it looked like it could happen as ‘Chicharito’ was subbed in at the 71st minute. Many fans were riding on him pulling off the comeback. ‘Chicharito’ and the rest of the team had more looks in the last 20 minutes of the game. Even Quiñones had to come back to defend as Chivas was putting on a lot of pressure. As the time was winding down Chivas was taking unnecessary shots at goal. They were frustrated and instead of passing the ball to open players they would take the shots themselves. Then they had eight minutes of stoppage time to score two goals to take the game to extratime. Chivas was in a big hurry to get the game going while the Aguilas were happy to waste time. Two minutes into stoppage time and ‘Pollo’ Briseño unnecessarily fouled Valdés from behind which gave him a yellow and Ramon Juarez also earned a yellow for complaining. The minutes were ending quickly and Chivas had no answer. </p>
<p id="KTg870">Chivas were close to making an incredible comeback but they shot themselves in the foot. First it was the own-goal and then it was their mentality. Instead of moving forward after the own-goal they got into their own heads and that allowed the second goal. América had a horrible first half but they came back in the second half to put the game away. Yes they may have lost the game but they still qualified for the next round. Winning the first leg by three goals affected how they played in the first half but they turned it around in the second half. They did just enough to make it through. Now they look towards this weekend as they face Chivas again, this time in league play. </p>
<p id="7O9nZe"><strong>Club América:</strong> Malagon; I. Reyes, Lichnovsky, Juárez, Calderon; dos Santos, Fidalgo, Zendejas, Valdés, Quiñones; Martin</p>
<p id="t4QLJh"><strong>Chivas:</strong> Whalley; Sepulveda, Orozco, Briseño, Mozo; Alvarado, Gonzalez, Beltran; Cowell, Marin, Brizuela</p>
https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2024/3/16/24100311/america-advance-to-next-round-of-the-concacaf-champions-cup-despite-loss-to-chivas-guadalajaramelissacastro2024-03-16T09:50:41-07:002024-03-16T09:50:41-07:00Pumas and Tijuana tie in a controversial match
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<img alt="Pumas UNAM v Tijuana - Torneo Clausura 2024 Liga MX" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eTWeWy3wqHrPabGCWivg09xuQ6o=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211820/2073775020.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Down to 10 men, Pumas were unable to hold a 2.goal lead over Xolos.</p> <p id="NZ95Ws">Pumas and Tijuana battled to a 3-3 tie in a controversial match filled with incidents. Pumas looked to be on the way to cruising for a victory with a 2-0 lead before a red card and a PK changed the match completely. All three goals by Tijuana came from the penalty spot and one of them was extremely controversial. Pumas will travel for a tough away match against Toluca while Tijuana returns home to face Santos, as they look for their first victory of the season. </p>
<p id="BipfSF">The first half started with Pumas coming out with an offensive lineup, including starting with both Cesar Huerta and Leonardo Suarez. Pumas started a counter where Huerta got the ball cleared off his feet. Off a throw in, Rodrigo Lopez got the ball and lobbed over a great shot over Tijuana’s goalkeeper, Jose Antonio Rodriguez and into the net to score a great goal and give Pumas an early 1-0 lead. Pumas continued to dominate possession and create danger. Huerta would make a great run towards the area and then make a pass to Guillermo Martinez, who got off an incredible left footed shot past Rodriguez to score and give Pumas the 2-0 lead. It was an great goal as Pumas took a quick two goal lead. After getting into the area, Joe Corona was dropped after being dropped by an elbow from Lisandro Magallan and a Penalty Kick to be given to Tijuana. To make matters worse, Magallan would be red carded and leave Pumas with 10 players. Cristian Rivera stepped up to take the PK and would place the right footed shot past Pumas’ goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez to place the match at 2-1. Down to 10 players, Pumas’ dominance over Xolos started to falter although they had some good opportunities from counter attacks. Off a free kick Suarez got off a great shot that forced Rodriguez to make a good save. The halftime whistle blew and a game where Pumas looked like they were going to cruise, had changed after the red card. </p>
<p id="2Phr6f">The 2nd half started with Tijuana subbing out Carlos Gonzalez, Joe Corona and Diego Barbosa for Ake Loba, Eduardo Armenta and Kevin Castañeda. Pumas subbed out Leonardo Suarez for Santiago Trigos. Off a throw in, Huerta would surprise Tijuana and get a cross into the area where Guillermo Martinez would volley the ball past Rodriguez and into the net to score and give Pumas the 3-1 lead. Minutes later a cross into the area was headed by Jose Zuñiga and Mateo Casares would handle the ball, making the ref give Tijuana a PK. Cristian Rivera would step up take the PK and placed the right footed shot past Gonzalez to score and once again cut the lead, now to 3-2. Armenta got off left footed shot that was saved by Gonzalez. Pumas subbed out Guillermo Martinez and Eduardo Salvio for Rogelio Funes Mori and Carlos Gutierrez. After Tijuana lost the ball, from more than half court line, Lopez got off a shot that would go close to going in. In an incredible play, Gonzalez would clear the ball and bring down Zuñiga but the referee would go to VAR and gave a PK to Tijuana. Gonzalez got to the ball, cleared the ball and yet a PK was given because he had used to high a knee in his jump and hit the attacker in head. Rivera took the PK and scored a third PK to tie the match at 3-3. Pumas came close when Funes Mori got the ball in the area but his back heel shot was blocked by a defender. A cross into the area from Huerta went over Rodriguez but went wide. Pumas subbed out Pablo Monrroy and Rodrigo Lopez for Robert Ergas and Ali Avila. Castañeda got the ball in the area but Gonzalez got the ball off his feet. Tijuana subbed out Efrain Alvarez for Fernando Madrigal. In the area, Huerta got off a shot that was just deflected wide. Loba got the ball in the area but was blocked by Gonzalez. Loba got to the rebound but couldn’t control the ball and it was cleared off the line by a defender. Off a corner kick, Ulises Rivas got a header that went wide. It was the last play and Pumas got a very disappointing and controversial tie. </p>
<p id="aLBYfB">While Pumas ended a two game loss streak, it was a very bad result to only get a tie at home against Tijuana. Yet the match had very extreme circumstances although in the end it was Pumas own doing that they couldn’t get the victory. Lisandro Magallan’s red card changed the match although Pumas could still have taken a win if not for a very stupid mistake that led to the 2nd PK and a controversial one that led to the third. In my opinion, it wasn’t a PK but the discussion around it has shown a split of opinions about the call. Pumas will need to pick up points because they missed out on two points that were expected. Tijuana on the other hand gets another bad result as they have yet failed to win and although getting a tie away in CU would have been a plus for the team prior to the match, not so much when they have a man advantage for 70 minutes and could only tie and only by Penalty kicks. They will have another tough match at home when they face a Santos side that seemed to be improving under new coach Ignacio Ambriz while Pumas will have a tough away match against Toluca, and without a suspended Magallan.</p>
https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2024/3/16/24096459/pumas-unam-and-tijuana-tie-in-a-controversial-match-liga-mx-clausura-2024rhzunam802024-03-12T11:55:59-07:002024-03-12T11:55:59-07:00América continue their dominance over Tigres with another victory
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<img alt="FBL-MEX-AMERICA-TIGRES" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mCVJBlqz2ZdKHddNRJXbTXJN5Hc=/0x1:3431x2288/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73201822/2064223696.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by VICTOR CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>America defeated Tigres by a 2-0 score in a repeat of the last Liga MX final. </p> <p id="aDXqXB">Club America got another victory over Tigres months after defeating them in the last Liga MX final, now with a 2-0 victory. Tigres hasn’t defeated America since 2019 and the streak will continue at least for months as America would win in a match where Tigres had more possession but America was more efficient. Both teams will have mid week matches from the CONCACAF Champions as America faces Chivas at home for their 2nd leg while Tigres goes home to take on Orlando City. </p>
<p id="fzUtyI">The 1st half started with both teams coming with a lot of alternates knowing that they both have mid week CONCACAF Championship matches. The most notable thing was the return of Nestor Araujo to a starting 11 after being out months because of injury. Juan Brunetta would get off a great left footed shot from outside the area that went past America’s goalkeeper, Oscar Jimenez, but would hit the post and not go in. After a great run into the area, Ilian Hernandez looked to have been brought down by Juan Purata but no foul was given. A great cross by Diego Lainez fell to Marcelo Flores but he couldn’t connect with his volley well and the ball went easily towards Jimenez. A great pass from Lainez found Nicolas Ibañez in the area but he failed to get off the shot and America’s defense cleared the ball. In the ensuing corner kick, America started a great counter attack and Javairo Dilrosun made a great run, leaving Flores on the floor, getting into the area and getting off a great left footed shot past Tigres’ goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman, to score an incredible goal and give America the 1-0 lead. Tigres would answer with Fernando Gorriaran getting off a left footed shot that Jimenez saved. After Kevin Alvarez and Jimenez failed to communicate on a ball, Flores took advantage of it and Jimenez had to foul him before he tried to get off a shot into the empty net, earning a Yellow card. Brunetta would get a ball in the area but his right footed shot went right to Jimenez. The 1st half ended and although Tigres had more of the possession, America had the lead. </p>
<p id="ehSEMN">The 2nd half started with both teams coming out with the same lineup. Brunetta got into the area and got off a left footed shot that Jimenez deflected into the post. Lainez would get the ball in the area but his left footed shot would go wide. Flores would get past a defender and get off a right footed shot in the area that would go just wide. A great pass from Gorriaran found Flores but Jimenez would block his shot from his feet. America subbed out Brian Rodriguez, Ilian Hernandez and Santiago Naveda for Julian Quiñones, Henry Martin and Alvaro Fidalgo. Tigres subbed out Juan Brunetta, Eduardo Tercero and Fernando Gorriaran for Andre Pierre Gignac, Javier Aquino and Juan Pablo Vigon. A longball into the area found Alejandro Zendejas, who easily got past Purata and then got off a left footed shot past Guzman to score and give America the 2-0 lead. A cross into the area found a wide open Gignac, who headed it wide in a bad miss. America subbed out Javairo Dilrosun for Igor Lichnovsky. Tigres subbed out Nicolas Ibañez for Ozziel Herrera. A cross into the area was just headed wide by Quiñones. After a great pass from Flores, Herrera got the ball in the area but his left footed shot was saved by Jimenez. Tigres subbed out Diego Reyes for Guido Pizarro. A great attack from America was wasted when the ball fell to a wide open Zendejas but he didn’t shoot the ball but tried to pass it and the ball was cleared. A run into the area from Luis Fuentes forced Guzman to make a great save off his feet. America subbed out Alejandro Zendejas for Diego Valdes. A cross into the area from Flores, was headed by Pizarro into the path of Vigon, who from close range had a terrible miss and sent his shot wide. Herrera would win the ball in the area and make a pass to Flores, who from close range would make an even worse miss and also send the ball wide. It was an awful miss and a great example of Tigres’ problems in the match. Valdes would get off a right footed shot from outside the area but Guzman would make a great save. America would hold on and get a win that momentarily had them in first place. </p>
<p id="IoFWf0">In a match where Tigres seemed to have more possession and at times controlled the match, Club America was able to strike at key moments and take another win over Tigres. It was a repeat of the last Liga MX final but the match was anything but, with both teams giving priority to their CONCACAF Championship matches. Club America has all but wrapped their series after a 3-0 away win over Chivas, but being that Chivas is their biggest rival and they don’t want any surprises. Tigres on the other hand have a tougher task as the had a scoreless tie away to Orlando City. While they will be favored at home, a loss or a tie with goals would eliminate them from competition. The loss thus is a bad loss for them especially since they can’t shake America’s dominance over them. </p>
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https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2024/3/12/24095965/america-continue-their-dominance-over-tigres-with-another-victory-liga-mx-clausura-2024rhzunam802024-03-12T11:24:08-07:002024-03-12T11:24:08-07:00León continue Chivas’ crisis with away win
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<img alt="Chivas v Leon - Torneo Clausura 2024 Liga MX" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8mVm0gPgtStih-dyYQy2liU1YtM=/30x0:3071x2027/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73201738/2072100071.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Leon came out of Guadalajara with a 2-1 victory that sends Chivas reeling days before back to back Superclasico. </p> <p id="vAcMqg">Leon confirmed Chivas’ crisis by extending their losing streak to three matches with a 2-1 away victory over them. After a disastrous Superclasico home loss on Wednesday, Chivas increased their suffering with a loss and will now have to play in back to back Superclasicos in clear mental anguish. Chivas will have to play the return leg against America in Mexico City to battle back from a 3-0 aggregate in their Round of 16 series before going back home to face Club America again in their Liga MX matchup. Leon will return home to face Puebla on Saturday.</p>
<p id="OP5nWK">The 1st half started with the surprise of having Javier Hernandez get his first start since his return to Chivas. Leon looked to have scored five minutes into the match but it was correctly ruled to be offside. Because of an injury, Jose Ramirez had to be subbed out 10 minutes into the match. Gonzalo Napoli was subbed in to take his place. A longball towards Hernandez forced Leon’s goalkeeper, Rodolfo Cota to clear the ball right to Roberto Alvarado, who would scored into the empty net but the goal would be called off for offside. After getting the ball in the area, Hernandez would get off a right footed shot that Cota would save. Alan Medina would get off a left footed shot that would force Chivas’ goalkeeper, Raul Rangel to make a save. Federico Viñas would get the ball in the area and get off a left footed shot that would go just wide. A longball into the area found Viñas who, got past Rangel before being brought down by Jesus Orozco . The ref would give Leon a PK and a Yellow to Orozco, who will now miss the Superclasico next weekend because of having five yellow cards. Federico Viñas stepped up to take the PK and got off a strong left footed shot past Rangel to score and give Leon the 1-0 lead. A cross into the area found Alvarado, who got off a left footed shot that hit the post. It was a wasted chance for Chivas since Hernandez was side open and would have had a tap in had Alvarado passed the ball to hin and not tried to get off a shot. The halftime whistle blew as Leon had the lead against a Chivas team that faltered as time went on. </p>
<p id="Fzw8ih">The 2nd half started with Chivas subbing out Ruben Gonzalez and Leonardo Sepulveda for Jose Juan Macias and Mateo Chavez. Leon subbed out Osvaldo Rodriguez for William Tesillo. Victor Guzman would get a Yellow Card and just like Orozco, will miss the Liga MX Superclasico because of Yellow card accumulation. A shot from Cade Cowell turned into a pass but it was just out of reach of Macias. Chivas subbed out Javier Hernandez and Victor Guzman for Ricardo Marin and Fernando Beltran. Leon would miss a great chance after Chivas lost the ball but Elias Hernandez got off a shot from outside the area that was just wide. A cross from Beltran almost turned into a shot that Cota had to clear. A cross into the area was headed from close range by Marin but deflected into the hands of Cota. Leon subbed out Federico Viñas, Elias Hernandez and Ivan Moreno for Angel Mena, Jose Alvarado and Luis Cervantes. Chivas subbed out Cade Cowell for Isaac Brizuela. A cross into the area was badly volleyed by Cervantes but the ball would fall into the path of Jose Alvarado, who got off a right footed shot that went past Rangel and into the net to score and increase Leon’s lead to 2-0. A cross into the area was just headed wide by Tesillo. A cross into the area found Marin, but he went down in the area after being tripped by Adonis Frias and a PK was given. Roberto Alvarado stepped up to take the PK and would place a left footed shot past Cota to score to cut the lead to 2-1. It was too little too late and Leon held on for the victory.</p>
<p id="dLl2id">After getting a solid victory over Pumas, Chivas has been in full crisis mode. It started with a bad loss away to Cruz Azul by a 3-0 score but that was nothing compared to their next match. At home for the 1st leg of the Round of 16 CONCACAF Champions Cup, Chivas lost against their biggest rivals America also by a 3-0 score. The three away goals now have Chivas with one foot out of the tournament as they need to get a win by four goals in the 2nd leg to be able to go thru. Prior to their trip they faced Leon and now lost at home for a third straight time, this time by a 2-1 score. They will also miss Jesus Orozco and Victor Guzman for their next match in Liga MX, against America, as they both got their 5th Yellow cards and thus suspension. Chivas looked like a team out of sorts and it’s clear that the loss against America was a big hit for the team. With two Superclasicos on the horizons, Chivas looks on the border of collapse. Leon gets a big victory as they got a deserved victory and although they weren’t overly superior, they were the slightly better team. With them facing struggling Puebla at home, they might get another victory soon. </p>
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https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2024/3/12/24095758/leon-continue-chivas-crisis-with-away-win-liga-mx-clausura-2024rhzunam802024-03-09T08:15:00-08:002024-03-09T08:15:00-08:00Club América dominate woeful Chivas to get a convincing first leg win in CONCACAF Champions Cup
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<figcaption>Photo by Simon Barber/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Club America got a 3-0 away win against Chivas in the first leg and have one foot in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.</p> <p id="VEw7uy">Club America made a statement in the CONCACAF Champions Cup after defeating Chivas in the first leg of their Round of 16th match by a 3-0 score. The Superclasico, the biggest match in Mexican Football, arrived in CONCACAF with style as America dominated a Chivas side that continued a streak of bad results in Guadalajara against their biggest rivals. Coach Fernando Gago made a lackluster debut in a Superclasico with a controversial move that ended up costing them dearly. Chivas will stay home to face Leon in Liga MX while America returns home to face Tigres before both team meet again next Wednesday for the return leg. </p>
<p id="vTEPHj">The 1st half started with Chivas surprising by having Alan Torres from the start. Club America came out with their regular starting 11. Alejandro Zendejas got off a left footed shot that Chivas’ goalkeeper, Oscar Whalley saved. A cross from Zendejas was headed from close range by Julian Quiñones, but Whalley got off a great save. The rebound was left there for Quiñones, who was then brought down by Torres before he could get to the tap in chance and the ref gave a Penalty Kick to America. Julian Quiñones stepped up to take the PK and got off a low right footed shot past Whalley to score and give America the 1-0 lead. Almost immediately after the goal, America would steal a ball and get a chance but Quiñones cross was barely cleared by Jesus Orozco and Antonio Briseño. Off a free kick, Victor Guzman would cross the ball in the area, where he would find a wide open Orozco, but he got off a terrible volley that went wide. Diego Valdes would get off a great right footed shot from outside the area that forced Whalley to make a good save. Roberto Alvarado would get off a left footed shot from outside the area that was easily saved by America’s goalkeeper, Luis Malagon. A shot from Quiñones from outside the area would go just wide. Off a counter, America had a good chance when Israel Reyes would get off a low cross that looked to be handled by Orozco and the ref would give America another PK. Replays showed it looked accidental and after going to VAR, the ref would call off the PK. Off a corner kick in injury time, the cross was headed from close range by Briseño but Malagon came up with a big save. The halftime whistle blew and there was a fight between Alan Mozo and Alvaro Fidalgo that went all the way to the dressing rooms. America had been overly superior, Chivas came close in the final minutes to getting the tying goal. </p>
<p id="mITANG">The 2nd half started and to the surprise of many, no changes were made by either team. A cross into the area from Alvarado was just missed by Guzman, Erick Gutierrez got the ball from outside the area but his left footed shot went well wide. Chivas had improved somewhat and had more possession although America did well in controlling them defensively. Mozo would try to make a bicycle volley and only ended up gifting the ball into the path of Quiñones, who tried to to a counter but got head butted by Torres. The ref would give a foul and another yellow card to Torres (he had gotten a Yellow card in the PK foul) who would be red carded and leave Chivas with 10 players in a potentially disastrous play for the home side. Chivas subbed out Victor Guzman for Cade Cowell. America would have a counter attack in which Fildalgo found Zendejas in the area, who then made a back pass into the path of Diego Valdes, who then got off a strong right footed shot past Whalley and into the net to give America the 2-0 win. It was a great counter play from America and it looked to have killed the match as the two goal lead with one less player looked like to big a hurdle for Chivas to overcome. Chivas subbed out Roberto Alvarado and Ricardo Marin for Ruben Gonzalez and Javier Hernandez. America would sub out Alejandro Zendejas, Jonathan Dos Santos and Sebastian Caceres for Javairo Dilrosun, Richard Sanchez and Ramon Juarez. Chivas tried to fight back and score but couldn’t generate much. America subbed out Julian Quiñones for Brian Rodriguez. A good chance with a counter ended when Fernando Beltran got into the area but lost control of the ball and it was easily cleared. America would sub out Diego Valdes for Santiago Naveda. In the final minute, off a corner kick, America would surprise Chivas by passing the ball to a wide open Naveda, who would get off a great right footed shot from outside the area that would get past Whalley and hit the post. The ball would go straight into the path of Henry Martin, who got off a header into the wide open net to score and give America the 3-0 lead. It was an incredible lead and the goal might have killed the series. America held on for the last minute and took their solid Superclasico victory. </p>
<p id="VMiyYF">As the match started, most fans were surprised by the news that Gago had decided to start with Alan Torres as a centerback. Starting Torres was strange enough but more so as a defender when he plays as a defensive midfielder. The move might go down in history as one of the worst ever in a Superclasico as Torres was a total disaster, giving up the first PK and then getting red carded. Torres historically disastrous performance was key in giving Chivas another black mark in their current record against their biggest rival, Club America. America not only is the current champions but is clearly superior to Chivas and is can lord itself over Chivas. Chivas will have to battle back against America on Wednesday but that final goal looks to have possible settled the series as Chivas will now need to score 4 away goals against America in Estadio Azteca. America will return home and host their Liga MX match against Tigres on Saturday before the return leg against Chivas. Chivas will remain in Guadalajara to host Leon on Saturday before traveling to Mexico City. </p>
https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2024/3/9/24092959/club-america-dominate-woeful-chivas-to-get-a-convincing-first-leg-win-in-concacaf-champions-cuprhzunam80