Chivas get a tie in their first visit to Mazatlan.

In their first ever away trip to face Mazatlan FC, Chivas continued their streak of unbeaten games with a 1-1 tie. While Chivas continue a six game undefeated run, fans will not be happy in what once again was a lackluster performance from a Chivas team who looked without ideas for most of the match. It’s also a worrisome sign as their next match is their biggest of the regular season when they’ll face Club America at home in the biggest match in Mexican football. Mazatlan meanwhile continues to look better at home than away, which doesn’t bode well for their next match as they travel to Monterrey to face the tough Tigres.

The first half started with Chivas once again making changes to the starting lineup, as they benched Uriel Antuna for Isaac Brizuela. With probably the biggest crowd in Mazatlan’s short history, Mazatlan was able to rise quickly to the occasion. Off of a free kick in the fifth minute, Michael Rangel was able to rise and head the ball to a wide open Nicolas Diaz, who then got a left footed shot past Chivas’ goalkeeper, Raul Gudiño for the early 1-0 lead. After the goal, Chivas went on the attack and had control of the possession. Chivas wasted a great opportunity when off a free kick, a wide open Jesus Molina got to head the ball, but he did a bad job of it, missing two wide open Chivas players. Molina would make up for it later. After a run from Alexis Vega ended with him sending a back heel that found Miguel Angel Ponce. He would get a cross and a rushing Jesus Molina would head the ball past Mazatlan’s goalkeeper Nicolas Vikonis for the 1-1 tie. Mazatlan responded almost immediately when Gudiño sent a cross from a corner kick into the path of Luis Angel Mendoza but his shot went well wide. Chivas got a good chance when from a shot from Brizuela, Vikonis left the rebound for Jose Juan Macias, but his shot went wide. The halftime whistle blew and a very even match had the right result.

The second half started with both teams trying to go for the win. After a couple of even minutes, Fernando Aristeguieta had a shot that was easily saved by Gudiño. Mazatlan subbed out Daniel Amador and Michael Rangel for Israel Jimenez and Camilo Sanvezzo. Chivas had a good chance, but Alexis Vega’s shot (after a good play in the area) wen straight into Vikonis’ arms. Mazatlan almost answered with a better opportunity, but Sanvezzo’s shot went just wide. Chivas subbed out Jesus Molina for Uriel Antuna. The game turned into a very even match, with Mazatlan perhaps slightly better than Chivas. Chivas later subbed out Jesus Ricardo Angulo and Alexis Vega for Sergio Flores and Fernando Beltran. Mazatlan subbed out Jose Ortiz for Jose Padilla. Mazatlan then had a great chance when Nestor Vidrio had a header off of a corner kick that forced Gudiño to make a save. Mazatlan then subbed out Luis Angel Mendoza for Ivan Moreno, while Chivas subbed out Jose Juan Macias for Angel Zaldivar. The changes looked to have helped Mazatlan more, as they pressured a Chivas team that once again looked flat on offense. In the last minute, Mazatlan had a shot from long range go wide, and the game ended with both team sharing the one point.

Chivas got another point, but although the team has been getting results their performances have been lackluster to say the least. It’s a problem especially because of the calendar, it looks like Chivas is set to face the toughest teams and it will start with their biggest rival on Sunday, when they face Club America. America isn’t playing as well as fans expect, but they currently sit at the top of the table although they might be in second place at the end of the week. They will probably be heavy favorites, although Chivas could surprise them if they finally click. Yet it will be tough especially since America will be looking for revenge after getting eliminated by Chivas last season. Mazatlan meanwhile did well, although for a team that is depending on their results at home, a tie isn’t a great result. They will now have a tough battle against Tigres, where they will be expected to lose and while it’s a perfect situation for them to surprise, they will have to improve by a lot to have a chance.