Photo Credit: Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles
By: Jonny Rico
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A thrilling Clausura 2015 Week 7 came to a close on Sunday evening with a brand new league leader. The relegation drama intensified and one team is looking like the likely candidate to go down to the Ascenso MX (second division).
Morelia 1-2 Puebla
Matchday 7 kicked off on Friday night with two struggling teams facing off against each other. Puebla – the one with relegation danger – had to come from behind on the road to pick up three important points in their quest for survival. The loss keeps Morelia at the bottom of the league table still winless in the season. The loss also costed manager Alfredo Tena his job.
Veracruz 3-0 Toluca
Veracruz continue to look like the one team from the four involved in the relegation race to will be saved. The southern port side is now the only team in the league to still be undefeated. The big 3-0 win highlights the hunger of Veracruz for success and the inconsistency of Toluca who are capable of winning big or losing big like in this one.
Santos 0-1 Atlas
After falling midweek in Copa Libertadores Atlas picked themselves right up and came up a with a morale boosting win over Santos Laguna who had been on a good run in form. Alfonso ‘Ponchito’ Gonzalez scored the lone goal in late in the game (86th minute).
Cruz Azul 1-2 Chivas Guadalajara
Cruz Azul took a first half lead and looked like continuing its good form and remaining at the top of the league table while furthering Chivas’ relegation desperation. But two late goals by Chivas turned it around and made sure the Guadalajara side didn’t lose ground to Puebla and Veracruz who came up with wins. The loss kills Cruz Azul’s unbeaten run and knocks the team out of first place and into third.
Monterrey 2-1 Queretaro
Apertura 2014 championship winning manager made his Monterrey debut with a win at home over a Ronaldinho-less Queretaro. Both teams remain near the bottom of the table, Monterrey in 14th place with seven points and Queretaro in 15th place with five points. The loss also meant that Queretaro manager Ignacio Ambriz was let go from his position.
Pachuca 2-1 Leon
Home side Pachuca took the brotherly-rivalry match against sister club Leon. CONCACAF U-20 champion Erick Gutierrez opened the scoring for Pachuca and an Ignacio Gonzalez own goal doubled the lead for the home side. Martin Bravo converted a penalty to cut the deficit but that was as close as the visitors would get.
Chiapas FC 1-0 Tigres UANL
Chiapas FC put last week’s big 5-0 loss to Club America behind them and continued its impressive 15 game home unbeaten streak with a win over Tigres UANL. The visitors had shown slight signs of improvements after a slow start in the league and a big Copa Libertadores win midweek. But the Monterrey University side were unable to keep it going.
Pumas UNAM 0-1 Club America
The big Mexico City rivalry was a close affair despite the huge differences in rosters and current form. Reigning champions America ended up taking the win thanks to a Dario Benedetto goal – his fourth goal in as many matches. The win took America to the top of the league table for a few hours until the evening match on Sunday when Tijuana overtook the top spot.
Leones Negros 0-1 TIjuana Xolos
Tijuana Xolos became the league leaders with its win over Leones Negros in the closing match of Week 7. Liga MX newcomer Gabriel Hauche netted his third goal of the season in the first half for the game winner. The loss further sinks Leones Negros in the relegation race, especially with all other three teams involved winning this weekend.
WATCH ALL WEEK 7 GOALS
Video Credit: LIGA Bancomer MX
