The Mexican Soccer Championship had an atypical weekend. The new strain of swine flu that appeared in Mexico City and neighboring state has obligated the league to play three games without fans. The matches between Pachuca vs. Cruz Azul, Pumas vs. Chivas and America vs. Tecos were played behind closed doors in a very different atmosphere where screams and whistles from field and bench seats were clearly heard on TV.
In a silent Hidalgo stadium, Pachuca smashed Cruz Azul, 3-0. Ulíses Mendívil notched a hat trick (10', 39' and 89') and pushed his team into the hunt at the top of the league table and tied with Toluca.
Mendívil, who usually plays as a replacement, took advantage of Cristian Giménez and Damian Alvarez's absences. Both Argentinians were injured and watched the game in a VIP box. They were accompanied by their coach, Enrique Meza, who was also suspended.
Cruz Azul is at the bottom of the league and the solution for all Benjamin Galindo's troubles does not appear at the horizon. La Maquina have not won in eight matches and will face the CONCACAF Champions League Final against Atlante next Wednesday at Cancun. 'Potros de Hierro' won the first leg 2-0 and surely will be at the FIFA World Cup Club in United Arab Emirates at December 2009 if Cruz Azul continues to play poorly.
Also, Atlante lost 1-0 against Monterrey at Andrés Quintana Roo Stadium as Abraham Carreño's solo goal (65') worked fine for the narrow victory.
With the triumph, Rayados is nearing the final rounds in Group One. The battle for the ticket to Liguilla will be fiercely fought against Puebla.
La Franja could not find their usual courageous form in the Mexican tournament and fell to Ciudad Juarez Indios, 2-0. Ezequiel Maggiolo (49') and Ricardo Esqueda (penalty, 94') gave an urgent triumph to coach Hector Hugo Eugui, who now knows that three points will save his squad from relegation.
In the other game played behind closed doors, Pumas and Chivas drew 1-1 at Olympic Stadium. UNAM remains on top of Group Two, but is being haunted by Tecos and Chivas. At a sad Azteca Stadium, America demonstrated why it is the worst home team in Clausura 2009 after Aguilas lost 2-1 against Tecos. With or without its fans support at Aztecas' seats, America has played 7 games: 4 ties, 3 loses and 0 wins. What an awful streak for one of the most important squads in Mexico!
Tecolotes found the victory thanks to Carlos Morales (penalty, 24') and Mario Ortiz (73') goals. America struck with a Robert de Pinho's goal (80'), but it was not enough. In other meetings, Jaguares and Morelia tied 2-2, while Toluca and Atlas also tied. Finally, Tigres and Santos drew 1-1.
