Ascenso MX 2018 Apertura Recap: Jornada 5

Jornada 5 in Mexico’s second division of professional fútbol was full of exciting action. Here’s everything you need to know about how all 15 teams fared in the división de plata!

Potros UAEM 0 - 1 Mineros de Zacatecas

The first match of Jornada 5 action in the second division of Mexican professional fútbol was not exactly the most exciting of matches. For much of the match it looked like neither Potros UAEM nor Mineros were going to be able to put the ball into the back of the net. Sloppy passes, wasted possession, and errant long shots characterized much of the matches action. Then, in the 59th minute, Mineros were finally able to put all the pieces together for what would be the match winning goal as Heriberto Aguayo headed the ball home off of a dangerous ball whipped into the box. The rest of the match, for a neutral fan was about as exciting as watching wet paint dry. Neither team really came close to threatening the oppositions goal for the last 30 minutes in the match.

Atlante 2 - 1 Alebrijes de Oaxaca

The jornada 5 matchup between Atlante and Alebrijes de Oaxaca had all of the promise of a thrilling match between two teams hovering near the top of the table. In the end, the match wasn’t quite what neutral fans had been hoping for in terms of a thrilling back and forth action between two of the best team in the Ascenso MX. Much of the first 60 minutes of action could be characterized in two words: missed chances. Both squads squared very good chances to put themselves in front early in the proceedings. Atlante, much to the delight of the home fans, finally broke through the Alebrijes defense in the 64th minute on David Salazar’s goal from just inside of the area. The Alebrijes keeper made a terrible mistake halfway coming out to try and stop a driven low cross from reaching David Salazar. Instead, the keeper left Salazar a wide open net to shoot on as he miserably failed to stop the low driven cross. The match opened up following the goal as both sides hit the post and came agonizing close to scoring. Then, in the 89th minute Atlante put the icing on top of the cake as they added a second goal. Lizandro Echeverría, who looked to be in an offsides position, got on the end of a loose ball inside of the box and calmly slotted home past the Alebrijes keeper who looked more concerned with appealing for the offsides than actually stopping Echeverría’s shot. The visitors from Oaxaca added a consolation goal in the 90+2 minute as Luciano Nequecaur headed a dangerous cross into the back of the net. With the victory, Atlante sits at the top of the Ascenso MX table on 12 points.

Correcaminos 2 - 1 Leones Negros U de G

In the third Friday night match of Jornada 5, Correcaminos played hosts to Leones Negros at the Estadio Marte R. Gómez. This match was a must win for Leones Negros who desperately need to get their season back on track after a disastrous start that has left the promotion eligible side near the bottom of the table. Unfortunately for the visitors from Guadalajara, los Correcaminos had other plans for the match. It didn’t take long for the hosts to take the lead. Arturo Órtiz was left completely unmarked at the near post to head home a 26th minute corner. The lackluster defending from Leones Negros on the corner just about sums up how things are going for the Guadalajara side this season. In the 59th minute the hosts doubled their lead as Gustavo Ramírez finished off a quick counterattack with a low driven shot from just inside the box. Once again, it was the horrendous defense of los Leones Negros that allowed Correcaminos to score a fairly easy goal. There really is no excuse for just how bad the side from Guadalajara have been defensively this season. In the 68th minute the visitors scored what would end up being nothing more than a consolation goal on a free header of their own off of a corner.

Cimarrones de Sonora 1 - 1 Dorados de Sinaloa

The final Friday match of Jornada 5 took place in the northern desert of Sonroa as los Cimarrones hosted Dorados in a battle between to of the Asceno MX’s three teams from el Norte. The squad from Sonora has been one of the surprised of the 2018 Clausura season so far. Through their first four matches of the season los Cimarrones have hovered around the top four positions; something that haven't really done in previous seasons. Dorados on the other hand aren't having quite as good of a season. None of this mattered as the two northern teams faced off against one another on Friday night. In the 45th minute the hosts opened the scoring on a goal from Fernando Ortiz. Just after halftime, the visitors equalized as Jesús Escoboza fired home from inside of the area. Not much happened in the match as both teams cancelled each other out through solid defensive work.

Following the match, Cimarrones randomly eliminated their twitter account. The reasons behind the move remain to be seen as of right now.

Club Atlético Zacatepec 4 - 2 Cafetaleros de Tapachula

The most exciting Ascenso MX match in terms of goalscoring was played between CA Zacatepec and Cafetaleros on Saturday evening. This particular match was the only one of the jornada to feature both teams scoring multiple goals. Zacatepec got off to a hot start as Oscar Macías fired home the first two goals of the match in the 38th and 42nd minute of the match. Macías was the only player in the jornada to net multiple goals. The young Mexican player was all over the field for the hosts in the first half. Andrés Ramírez rippled the hosts lead in the 61st minute as he headed home off of a set piece. Cafetaleros slowly began to grow into the match and eventually produced a scare for the hosts as they scored two quick goals in the 80th and 81st minutes. With time winding down the visitors had to go all out attack if they wanted to take anything from the match. Unfortunately, this left them exposed for a counter attack and Zacatepec made them pay as Luis Marquéz scored an 85th minute goal to finish off the thrilling match.

Celaya 0 - 4 Atlético de San Luis

The match between Celaya and Altético de San Luis wasn’t really a very interesting encounter on the pitch. Celaya, another one of the surprising strugglers this season, was easily dispatched by a red-hot Atlético de San Luis side that look to be growing in confidence with each passing match. Unfortunately, it was the events off the pitch that garnered this match national attention. Following the end of the match, reports of clashes between the two sets of fans were reported. Everything from gunshots to firecrackers and all out brawls were reported to have taken place outside of the stadium following the match. This type of fan behavior is something that doesn't belong in fútbol at any level. It is simply incredible that this type of action is permitted to occur in today’s world of sport.

Celaya took to Twitter to denounce the actions of this involved in the fights outside of the stadium and to assure fans that everything that happens inside of the stadium is safe despite the negative image these fan actions might cast.

FC Juárez 0 - 0 Tampico Madero FC

The final match of Jornada 5 was played on Saturday night in a place that legendary Mexican singer Juan Gabriel once called “la frontera was fabulousa y bella del mundo.” With the Estadio Olímipco de Benito Juárez at roughly at half capacity los Bravos de FC Juárez played hosts to la Jaiba Brava de Tampico Madero. Historically, matches between these two teams have been heated back and forth affairs filled with goalscoring action. This was sadly not the case on Saturday night. Neither team really looked comfortable in the match and it showed. Errant passes, inaccurate crosses, wild challenges, and even a red card were the story of the match along the US-Mexico border. It wasn’t until after Ricardo Chávez was sent off in the 84th minute that either team really looked like they might score a goal. Surprisingly, it was 10-man FC Juárez who came the closest to scoring. Some high quality defensive work from the Jaiba managed to just keep the hosts from nothing their forth victory of the campaign.