Game 3: América 2 - 0 Pumas

Video here.

Another forgettable game, another forgettable Pumas performance, and now the university languishes on its own at the bottom of the table with three consecutive defeats. América were poor, Pumas were worse, once again showing no bite up front and making two costly mistakes at the back. The 'águilas' were little better, their only saving grace two expert finishes.

Pumas now have the dubious distinction of having been adjudged the worst defence in Game 2 by mediotiempo, and the worst attack in Game 3.

The defeat crowned a bad week for "el Tuca" after he was fined 121,000 pesos by the Mexican Federation for objecting to Chivas' mildly offensive banner. It was heavy-handed and unnecessary, but sadly completely in character. The big clubs América and Chivas enjoy special protection in the game, possibly because they have the most money, and Chivas has the most Mexican players.

Pumas welcomed back Bernal after his niggle, but otherwise started with the same side as against Atlante, with Velarde and Barrera returning from Cancún where they had been with the under-23 pre-olympic squad. They had played a midweek match against Pioneros de Cancún (and won 6-1 incidentally). Likewise Ochoa returned for América from that squad.

Pumas started at a good rhythm, determined to expose the awfulness of Guillermo Ochoa's self-designed jersey (has he no self-respect?). Sambueza had an effort early on, and Scocco tried one from long range, but after about ten minutes the early initiative waned and the game settled down to tedium.

Cervantes and Dominguez looked ever more composed at the back for América and the match became a messy midfield tangle. But then just after the half hour the team from Coapa went ahead as Salvador Cabañas slid a beautiful ball through to new signing Richard Nuñez to beat Bernal comfortably from inside the area. As Pumas pushed forward looking for the equaliser, América broke after a free kick had hit the wall and Nuñez was able to repay the compliment to Cabañas, lifting a cross to the Paraguayan who, unmarked, put the ball past Bernal.

Verón and González had looked secure in the middle, but were caught out by the excellent pass for the first goal, and the defence was caught forward for the second. Velarde was at sea and both goals arose through his channel initially. Maybe his efforts in Cancún had taken it out of him.

The game petered out in the second half. Once again Pumas had all the possession, and yet were unable to create much, with the greatest moments of danger coming from set pieces. González got one shot in that almost surprised Ochoa, but otherwise there was nothing at either end to be excited about. Pumas looked better as Barrera and Velarde made way for more lively Iñiguez and Chiapas, but the result never looked in doubt.

After the game "Tuca" refused to comment on the ridiculous situation of key players being taken just before a league game for the under 23s, saying he did not wish to lose a further 121,000 pesos. Nevertheless the team looks listless and uninspired, and needs desperately to start accumulating points if the liguilla is to be a realistic possibility.

One note of optimism however. The Pumas fans outsung the América fans all game and whereas there were many empty seats in América sections (possibly due to the superbowl) the Pumas 'porras' were as vociferous as ever. Gladly not a case of only singing when you're winning.

Goals
Nuñez (35 mins.) 1-0
Cabañas (42) 2-0

Cards
Pumas: yellow: Sambueza
América: yellow: Castro, Silva, Villa, Rojas

Player Ratings
Bernal 6 - really didn't have to do much except pick the ball out of the net twice.
Velarde 4 - Awful. Tired listless, out of position.Should not have played.
González 7- good game worked really hard and looked the best chance of a goal too
Verón 6 - not at his commanding best but sound
Espinoza 5 - still not offering enough going forward
Leandro 7 - Pumas' best player and kept working till the end
Castro 5 - out of sorts, needs more dynamism, or needs to let Leandro forward more.
Sambueza 6 - starting to come out of his shell - got in a couple of interesting crosses
Barrera 4 - completely anonymous. Again should not have played
Scocco 5 - apart from a couple of moments we barely saw him
Solari 5 - not enough work-rate this game. Very static.
Iniguez 5 - lively but lacking ball control (how often have I said that?)
Chiapas 6 - did well when he came on
Bonells - only on for a couple of minutes

Tuca 6 - Should not have played the two under 23s. Substitutions were right though. Needs to encourage a more dynamic approach. You wonder where the next goal is coming from.

Elsewhere in Mexico
"El Piojo" Herrera began his new job managing Veracruz with a first point 1-1 at home to Santos. Cruz Azul demolished a woeful San Luis 4-0, while Chivas took advantage of Morelia defender Mauricio Romero being harshly dealt a direct red in the 7th minute to thrash the Monarcas 6-0, including the luxury of a Santana penalty being saved.

Atlante's unbeaten sequence came to an end in Cancún with a nice performance from Tecos, including a wonderful goal from Droguett in their 2-1 victory. Cacho scored again for Pachuca in a 1-0 win over Atlas, Toluca eased past Tigres 2-0 in the Bombonera, while Monterrey under La Volpe, and Jaguares played out a dull 0-0. Necaxa and Puebla also drew, 1-1, in the Estadio Cuauhtémoc.

Toluca now head group 1 from Pachuca, América lead group two ahead of Atlante, and Chivas went ahead of Morelia in group 3 after their win.

Next Up
Pumas entertain Monterrey on Sunday. Watch out for Israel Castro playing for Mexico against the USA on Wednesday.