A look back at the best players, teams, moments, and more from Round 10 in the Mexican Primera.
Best Game
Atlas vs. Atlante
The debut of new Atlas coach Juan Carlos Chavez didn't go quite as expected. Though Atlas showed a different style of play, and at times seemed like the better team on the field, Atlante in the end stole all three points, leaving Los Zorros in dead last place of the league table. In a match with five total goals (most of any game this week), both Atlas and Atlante turned in impressive performances. The game was full of scoring opportunities, with the play of both goalkeepers becoming an important factor in the final score. In the end, Atlante gained the upper-hand with a late goal from Francisco "Kikin" Fonseca. The victory helps Atlante maintain their impressive winning streak, now at four games and counting.
Best Player
Luis Ivan Alonso (Toluca)
Slowly and quietly, Ivan Alonso has crept all the way up to the second position in this season's goal scoring race. Alonso's performance this weekend helped increase his standing in the scoring table, with a pair of goals in Toluca's win over Monarcas Morelia. Even with the disappointing performance of Toluca this season, Alonso has been a positive factor for the team. The Uruguayan seems to be adjusting to the team's style of play, as the Red Devils continue to push for a Liguilla spot. With seven goals, Ivan Alonso is now in second place behind Queretaro’s Carlos Bueno (8 goals), and ahead of Jaguares striker Luis Gabriel Rey (6 goals).
Biggest Surprise
Puebla 1-2 Santos
Last week, I chose Puebla as the team on the rise because of their five-game streak without a loss, and for going into Estadio Jalisco and shocking Chivas 4-1. This week at home, Puebla took a step backwards and dropped three points against visiting Santos Laguna. To be fair, Santos has become a better team since acquiring Benjamin Galindo as manager, but it was still a disappointing result for Puebla at home. The loss -- Puebla's first since August 7th -- drops Los Camoteros down to 13th place in the league table. The win by Santos moves them back into the Liguilla zone at the 7th position, with a suspended game against Morelia from week 6 still to be completed.
Team on the Rise
Atlante
With another victory away from home, Atlante has extended their current winning streak to four matches. The recent run of form is a complete turnaround from the beginning of the season, where Los Potros won only one game out of their first six. Atlante manager Miguel Herrera has slowly begun to find this team’s identity on the field, and with great performances from players like Giancarlo Maldonado, Christian Bermudez, and Osvaldo Martinez, Los Potros are beginning to climb the league table. This week's win moves them up to 6th place with fifteen points, amazingly just three points behind first place Jaguares de Chiapas.
Best Goal
Carlos Bueno (Queretaro 2-1 Monterrey)
Even with several spectacular goals around the league this week, Carlos Bueno’s effort against Monterrey still stands out as this week’s winner. What begins as a lost ball by Monterrey turns into a quick and perfectly executed counter attack by Queretaro, ending with a perfect pass to Carlos Bueno inside the box. As Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco comes off his line, the Uruguayan striker flicks the ball over him with expert skill. (Bueno's goal can be seen beginning at 1:22 of the video clip below.)
Top 5 Teams following Round 10
1. Jaguares – 18 points*
2.Cruz Azul – 18 points*
3. Chivas – 18 points
4. Tigres UANL – 17 points
5. Pumas UNAM – 17 points
*Both Jaguares and Cruz Azul have a +3 goal differential
Bottom 5 Teams
14. Estudiantes – 12 points
15. San Luis – 12 points
16. America – 9 points
17. Club Tijuana – 9 points
18. Atlas – 5 points
Top 5 Goalscorers of the Season
1. Carlos Bueno – 8 goals (Queretaro)
2. Ivan Alonso – 7 goals (Toluca)
3. Luis Gabriel Rey – 6 goals (Jaguares)
4. Hector Mancilla – 6 goals (Tigres UANL)
5. Christian Benitez – 6 goals (America)