Chivas have winning start to their Copa MX campaign

In front of a sold out crowd, Chivas de Guadalajara won their Copa MX debut with an away 2-1 victory over Cimarrones de Sonora. Playing away in Hermosillo in front of a capacity crowd that was eager to see Chivas in an official match, two first half goals were enough for Chivas to get the victory, although they had to survive a scare later in the second half. The victory means that Chivas starts both fronts with wins after also opening their Liga MX campaign with a victory after defeating Xolos de Tijuana 2-0. They will now prepare themselves for one of their toughest matches of the season when they go to Mexico City to face Cruz Azul.

Chivas started their Copa MX campaign on a high after a depressing close to 2018 when they not only had one of the worst performances for a Mexican club in the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, but they also had to do so knowing that their biggest rival, America, had passed them by as the most successful team after winning the Liga MX title. They had played well in their home opener as they defeated Xolos 2-0. They looked forward to doing the same in Copa MX as they traveled to Hermosillo to face Ascenso’s Cimarrones.

Things couldn’t have looked better for them as they got an early goal from Hedgardo Marin. Marin was wide open on a corner kick and was able to head the ball into the net, although a Cimarrones defender fell to the ground claiming a foul from Marin. The ref didn’t give a foul and Chivas was up 1-0.

Chivas proceeded to be the better team and at times dominated the game in a pretty well played first half. A mistake by Cimarrones’ goalkeeper Ricardo Diaz allowed Chivas to take a 2-0 lead. Jesus Godinez found himself with a rebound from Diaz to score the 2-0. Chivas looked to be in complete control for the rest of the half and the 2-0 looked like a true representation of what had happened on the field.

The second half continued with Chivas having more of the ball, although Cimarrones started creeping into the game. The game looked to start getting even when Cimarrones got a free kick that Miguel Vallejo converted into a great goal.

With the score 2-1, Chivas started to falter and Cimarrones looked to be moving urgently into the better team as they hoped for a tie. Chivas had their opportunities but desperation as well as selfishness from some of their players meant that they weren’t creating much danger in front of Cimarrones goal. It was Cimarrones who came the closest to score when a Luis Loroña’s shot was saved by Chivas’ keeper Miguel Jimenez.

Cimarrones had a great final opportunity when Armando Zamorano had a shot saved by the keeper before leaving his team with 10 men after having to come out of the game because of injury. Chivas held on for the win.

It’s a great start for Chivas in both fronts. The away win really helps Chivas in a Copa MX group in which they were placed with two Ascenso teams (Cimarrones, Tapachula), so they are heavily favored to get through to the next round. Things will be tougher on Saturday when they have a tough Liga MX game away to Cruz Azul but they will go back home for two games starting with their Copa MX game against Tapachula next week in Guadalajara and then stay there for their Liga MX match against Toluca. Cimarrones next will face their Copa MX rivals Tapachula in Ascenso MX and will not have Copa MX activity next week.