Lastnight Estudiantes played San Luis, as they attempted to get their first win of the season. The game showcased some horrific goalkeeping by Estudiantes keeper, Cristian Martinez. Estudiantes played well enough, however to get the win 3-2. Ramon Morales shows he is still lethal with free kicks.

Currently the Chiapas vs Cruz Azul is underway with CA up 1-0 in minute 19. Here are the rest of the matches for this week.

Pachuca vs Monterrey. This one should be a good one, but may end up bad for Pachuca. Pachuca just announced their new coach after some recent poor performances. Monterrey has been playing well, but will have to deal with a refreshed Pachuca team and playing with their home support.

Tigres vs Santos. Another similar match, with Santos playing a perfect season so far with 4 straight wins and top of their group. Tigres has won 1 game so far. Tigres will have the home support, which in the Volcan is always a factor. Lets see if they can take advantage of it.

Atlas vs Toluca. Two teams that have yet to win a match this season will go head to head. Toluca seems to deserve more than what they have shown.

Atlante vs Chivas. Chivas is ready to beat Atlante after losing the final vs Libertadores. They gave their best and have few days rest after their loss to Inter. We will see how they respond. Atlante has yet to win this season.

Morelia vs Necaxa. Back in the 1st division Necaxa looks for their 2nd win of the season. Morelia has 2 wins so far.

*** Update, Cruz Azul was very dangerous on the attack with Chaco Gimenez, but Chiapas scored a golazo to tie the game. ***

Unam vs Puebla. Pumas has lost some of their game since Tuca left but have won 2 of their 4 games. Puebla has as well. Puebla has been going through some team issues with the suits of the team. Chelis has spoke his opinion as of late also, so we will see how Puebla comes out for this game.

Queretaro vs America. Guillermo Ochoa tweets that they are in Queretaro and ready for their match. Amercica is at the top of their group even with just 1 win. We should call this the “mediocre” group.

Happy weekend of Football!

Rafa Marquez may be heading to New York Redbulls. He is not totally a bad player or geezer yet. He did probably play his last world cup, however. You never know though. He does still have some quality playing left in him, so if he does go to NY, they will get a good player.

Its done that Omar Bravo is heading to KC Wizards. This is a guy who has not looked good since coming back from Spain, but then did very well with Chivas in Copa Libertadores. KC may just have acquired a very good player. Chivas may have lost one, and will now depend on Omar Arellano and others. No more Chicharito. Let’s see if he doesn’t turn out to be a Luis Angel Landin.

Almost forgot about Nery Castillo. He is heading to Chicago Fire. This is good news. The guy was never playing, he missed the World Cup, his career was going downhill. Now it could take a turn. He cant go off on the press anymore about saying he is in Europe and they are in Mexico. He is now in a League that is arguable of lesser quality than Mexico. So now what does he have to say? He may light it up on the field. Atleast he should be on the field.

Since some Mexican’s are going to the US, might as well have a US player go to Mexico. Jona Bornstein is that player. Going to Tigres, so this is some interesting news.

Stay tuned.

Pumas came out and lost 1-0 to NE Revolution.
Morelia beat Chicago Fire, 5-1

Some really bad play in the Chicago Fire game.

Check out the highlights and try to figure out what was going on there. Rust?

Pablo Barrera is looking like he will be at West Ham United in England. This is good news for the daring, and darting attacking midfielder from Pumas. His size may be an issue, but his performance with the NT and with Pumas has shown that he has the capabilities to overcome tough situations and is not afraid of taking the offensive. He has impressed with his daring runs and not holding back opportunities to display his skills. This will be interesting.

Efrain Juarez’ name came up linked to Celtic, but nothing concrete has resulted. He is not traveling with Pumas to play in the Superliga.

Other rumors have been Rafa Marquez possibly to NY Redbulls! Hector Moreno looking for another team. Gio possibly moving as well. These are all rumors, so we will have to wait.

Anyway, this post is to analyze the Mexican players that do not play in Europe, but in the Liga Mexicana.

First lets look at the goalkeeper position. Conejo Perez, Luis Michel and Memo Ochoa. Ochoa has been the starter and most reputable keeper in recent times, but for some reason Conejo Perez started the South Africa game. Aguirre may have looked for experience, good fundamentals and less recent blunders. Memo gave up some questionable goals in this last tournament for America. Michel looked sort of hesitant in his US tour matches. So lets look at the SA game. Only goal scored was of a, ok lets say it, unstoppable shot. While it may have been unstoppable, it was definitely further out of reach for Conejo than it would have been for Ochoa or Michel.

Next stand out that came from nowhere is Pachuca’s Paul Aguilar. While he really hasn’t impressed me too much, he has played well in recent friendlies and earned his spot to the World Cup. His start in the SA game was not that much of a surprise, he is a good attacking player and actually played good on the right side.

Other notable Mexican league player and solid guy is Gerardo Torrado. He didn’t have a superb game on Friday, but he is always a tough player for recovering. Chicharito came in later in the game and didn’t get too many touches, but I wouldnt call his play horrible. Cuauhtemoc Blanco was caught in photos complaining to Chicharito about something at the end of the game. Reports about some of the passing that he did or didn’t do. I do recall one instance when Cuauh was calling for the ball and the ball wasn’t passed to him. I don’t recall if it was chicharito. Either way I don’t think he had reason to start an argument over it.

In summary Mexico lacked finishing, and strong counter attack defense. Same story as always. Even may have underestimated a weaker rival. I’m sure they will step it up in the next two games, but will it be enough.

While European clubs are taking more of a liking to Mexican players, there are still some valuable assets in the local league.

Later the 2010 draft took place, where there were some interesting changes. Goalkeeper Moises Munoz moved to Atlante and Vilar went to Morelia. Morelia clearly with the better goalkeeper now. Take a look at all the changes here:

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=948785&s=mex&type=story

Other changes were in Head Coaches. Manuel Lapuente is taking over America and pushing Chucho aside. Ricardo Ferreti is leaving Pumas for Tigres.

Lastly, the world cup is a week away and some of the Mexican League players are showing their worth. Today Mexico beat Italy 2-1 and Alberto Medina scored one of the goals. He has been on a tear in these preparation games and secured a spot in the final world cup list. Efrain Juarez has been playing really well also. It will be interesting if these players end up in Europe really soon. Pablo Barrera has been playing well, although not as much in this Italy game.

Hope you have a great time watching the 2010 World Cup.

Santos beat Morelia and beat them bad, 7-1. Oribe Peralta has been the man scoring 3 goals in the last game.
Toluca has been playing solid and beat Pachuca 1-0 to take take the series.

This makes for a really good final. Toluca who is known for a really strong defense, comes into this Liguilla with not one of their best seasons. Zinha, hasn’t had a flashy season as well. They have got the job done and seem solid going to the final. I expect Santos to have their hardest opponent yet and they need not get overconfident with their 7 goals scored recently.

Santos has their attacking mid just like Toluca. Luduena and company come with a powerful offense. They will be out firing. They did take some goals in the first game vs Morelia, even 1 from old man Borgetti. They may have a weakness there, but their offense is one to be wary of.

Get ready for tonight, it should be good.

My prediction:
Toluca gets the championship.

In the other match, Morelia and Santos tied it up as well, 3-3. Lots of goals, an exciting game. Some very bad reffing, in a questionable penalty. Some nice goals by each team as well. Francisco Arce showed up with a nice assist, long time no see. Borgetti got a goal, as I thought he was retired, lol. Santos should have had the game, but Morelia got a temporary result. Santos should take it in the end. Unless Oswaldo continues to fail, that guy looked bad in this game.

Pachuca came off a great win vs Cruz Azul in Concachampions, to win again vs Monterrey, 1-0. the real challenge will be when they play this weekend in el Tec.

Chivas showed some hope vs Morelia in the first half going up 2-1. They were even down a player as Chiquidracula gave a red card to Omar Arellano. It all came tumbling down in the end. Chivas lost 4-2.

Santos beats Pumas, 2-0. America ties with Toluca 2-2 at home and loses a good chance to get an advantage. Chucho Ramirez was upset.

This weekend is the 2nd leg and we will see who advances. My predictions:
Monterrey
Morelia
Pumas
Toluca