Postgame observations: America too generous versus Morelia

In a game where the goalkeepers made numerous impressive saves, for the second consecutive home game, Club America couldn’t earn three points as it allowed Morelia to tie it at 1-1 with nearly 10 minutes left in regulation on Saturday. Here’s my three takeaways from America’s draw to Morelia.

1)Darwin Qintero squandered the clearest chances

Quintero looked like the best player on the field plenty of times during the game, until he made a go at goal. He had three clear shots on goal, and in two of those occasions, he had a 1v1 matchup against Carlos Felipe Rodriguez, missing the inside part of the post by a narrow margin. The control Quintero used to shake off multiple defenders put him on another plane, but once in front of the goalkeeper, Quintero crashed down from his otherworldly moment. America had its chances, but as the big money guy, Quintero’s last second whiffs magnify themselves.

2)Morelia outlasted America

Throughout most of the games it has played, America has come away with its wins by playing smarter and with more energy in the second half. Against Morelia, America fell apart late and the game nearly ended with Morelia’s attempts at goal. America’s defense had its challenges to overcome with two starting options out because of injury and on-the-field discipline. Near the end of the game, Nacho Ambriz switched out José Guerrero and Paolo Goltz for two offensive players in Renato Ibarra and Michael Arroyo. This time the gamble backfired as the defense gave away looks. Morelia played its best in the last minutes of the game. By flipping the roles, Morelia found a way to avoid the loss. America needs to keep its second half identity if it wants to avoid more dropped points.

3)El Azteca weighs less

Obviously I mean this metaphorically since the Azteca as in the stadium’s presence doesn’t give America the advantage it did in the first two games. Tigres shook it off and dropped three goals on America while Morelia snatched two points. America has a game in between its next home game, a game against Guadalajara. If America can regain its home advantage, it couldn’t come at a more timely occasion than against Chivas.