Maybe it was the cold weather. Then again, maybe it was just a little bit of rust on both sides. Whatever the reason, Sunday's InterLiga 2010 nightcap between Monterrey and Jaguares delivered little offense. So it really shouldn't be surprising that the match at Pizza Hut Park ended in a 0-0 draw.
Of course, Monterrey was just several weeks removed from winning the 2009 Apertura title in the Mexican First Division and figured to enter InterLiga 2010 with a bit of momentum. However, for much of their event-opening match, Los Rayados' attack was largely dormant as Monterrey logged just three shots in the first half and finished with 12 for the game.
The Jaguares packed a bit more punch in the attacking third with six shots. Their best chance of the evening came in the 21st minute when a blast by Cristian Alvarez rattled off the right post and away from danger. It was the first of two shots by the home team that would draw iron on the evening.
Just 10 minutes after Alvarez's near-miss, Monterrey received a free kick from just outside of the Jaguares box. Midfielder Juan Carlos Medina stepped up to take the kick from about 20 yards out but proceeded to kick it right into the heart of the Jaguares' wall, which quickly put any hopes for a Monterrey goal to rest.
After the break, both clubs started fairly slowly. One minute into the second frame, Jaguares were able to force a corner kick. Yaser Anwar Corona took it but his club was unable to create any additional scoring chances on the opposing goal.
In the 51st minute, Monterrey striker Sergio Santana decided to take a chance from long range but his shot got away from him a bit and sailed high. One minute later, a cross by William Paredes landed near the right post. Jaguares defender Omar Flores dashed in to try and corral the ball but nearly knocked it into the back of the net for an own goal. However, Flores' deflection missed by mere inches, instead going wide left.
Santana was active around goal again in the 57th. His first effort, which was deflected by Jaguares goalkeeper Oscar Perez, setting up a corner, sailed a bit high. Corona trotted over to the flag on the far side of the field and struck a nice ball into the heart of the opposing area. Santana managed to head the ball squarely but his effort went wide right.
Corona made things happen yet again in the 64th when he displayed great vision in getting the ball over to Gerardo Flores. The ensuing shot by the Jaguares defender was stopped by Monterrey goalkeeper Omar Ortiz, who did so in spectacular fashion with a goal-saving, diving save. Corona then left the game in the 66th minute for Neri Cardoza.
Monterrey head coach Victor Manuel Vucetich made a pair of changes to his lineup in the 74th minute. Sergio Perez came on for Paredes while Osvaldo Martinez entered the match for Jesus Arellano. Perez took a shot from distance in the 81st but it sailed high.
Even though Los Rayados controlled possession for much of the evening, they were still unable to come away with a win in their Inter Liga opener, something that has plagued them in years past. In their four Inter Liga appearances, Monterrey is just 0-2-2 in their opening match. However, tonight's 0-0 draw did break a two-game losing streak in their opening matches.
In fact, Monterrey has advanced beyond the group stage just once in their four Inter Liga appearances. That came in 2006, their first-ever trip to the event. For a team looking to finally break through and play more than three games, tonight's tie had to be at least a bit disheartening, especially considering that for much of the game, they thoroughly outplayed their opposition.
Sunday's match was played in somewhat cold conditions as the temperature for much of the evening hovered around 40 degrees. However, toward the end of the match, the mercury read 37 degrees.
Jaguares head coach Luis Fernando Tena also went to his bench with around five minutes remaining. Antonio Salazar and Eduardo Chavez both came on. Chavez entered the match for Luis Raul Torres, who appeared to be injured on the far side of the field.
In stoppage time, Tena's insertion of Chavez into his team nearly paid huge dividends. The Jaguares defender almost became the man of the match with a near-goal. However, his shot rattled off the frame to keep things scoreless.
Mere seconds prior to the final whistle, Monterrey made one last push to steal three points. A free kick from about 30 yards out was taken by Severo Maza. His ball was well struck and found the head of Jesus Eduardo Zavala, but his effort to secure a late win for his club fell a bit short as his header missed to the right of goal.
Both sides return to action on Tuesday night at Robertson Stadium in Houston. Jaguares will face Puebla FC, who defeated Tigres UANL, 4-1 in the early game at PHP while Monterrey will square off against archrival Tigres in the nightcap from the Bayou City.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to InterLiga.com.
