MEXICO CITY – Never in the history of short tournaments had America occupied the last place in the general board. Its worst position had been 13 in two occasions: Apertura 2004 and Clausura 2006.
Two games shy of the end of Clausura 2008, the proud Eagles are locked in the basement. They have 8 points, and not even winning could they overcome Veracruz, Atlante, Morelia, Pumas, Tecos and Tigres, even if those teams lose.
Their maximum could be 14, as long as they get the 6 points still to be played. If they would lose those, they would only beat Tecos and Querétaro by one. Both of those teams scored, in Clausura 2003 and Apertura 2003 respectively, the lowest amount of points with 7.
We're at a loss for words to define the disastrous tournament played by the Coapa team. And as the saying goes: 'the skinniest dog gets the most fleas". On Sunday, at the Azteca Stadium, befote the store by Giancarlo Maldonado, America scored, but referee Héctor Gómez mistakenly annulled it for Salvador Cabañas by not allowing the play to continue in spite of a foul. As if this wasn't enough, he missed a penalty call after a clear foul on Richard Núñez.
The 1-0 loss meant the 11th defeat for the team coached by Rubén Omar Romano, who, by the way, has reached the 21-game winless benchmark in his personal record (nine with the America and the rest with Atlas).
CHIVAS, IN RISK OF DEPENDING ON THE WILD CARD
Playing currently both the Liga and the Copa Libertadores, stress is setting on Chivas. After losing the second game of the tournament, this time against Monterrey (1-0), the red-and-white squad risks not qualifying directly for the playoffs and having to settle for a wild card. San Luis has reached them in points in the súper leadership (29), while Cruz Azul reached 28 and is in third place. A combination of results in game 16 may shield surprises in Group III.
By the way, the Chivas' two losses have a common trait: receiving a goal in the early going and being unable to retaliate. Both Necaxa (1-0) and the Stripes have closed the spaces for Chivas, who was unable to go through the last part of the game comfortably.
SAN LUIS, DOING WELL
From now on, and even though they haven't qualified yet, the Gladiators are candidates to the throne. The good tournament that they are playing is not a happenstance. Having Raúl Arias at the helm is a guarantee at all levels. He saved the team from descending, put them in a final game and is now endangering the position of Chivas at the top of the charts of the Clausura 2008.
With the 2-1 they imposed on Morelia at the Morelos, they added their eight victory and tied both Chivas and Cruz Azul.
NEITHER ONE (ATLANTE) NOR THE OTHER (PUMAS)
It is a shame that neither the champs Atalante nor the sub-champs Pumas could threaten the league. The schedule of the past tournament was heavy on Atlante, thus the ups-and-downs they've seen.
Having beaten America 1-0 is no sign of an improvement for the Potros. What did become clear is that without Giancarlo Maldonado they wouldn't be able to score. The team, which has already signed Tuca Ferreti for another year, steps on the area but does not score. The Argentine duo of Esteban Solari and Ignacio Scocco can't drive it in, either.
Nevertheless, thanks to the goodness of the rules of this competition, both of them still have minimal chances of aspirina to the wild card with their meager 16 points.
TIGERS IN COLD SWEAT
In 1996, Tigres ascended to Division A for the first time. They only lasted a year there, even though until now they've had more ups-and-downs than good tournament performances.
The moment being currently experienced by the squad led by Manuel Lapuente seemed to be far away, but it's a reality. By losing 1-0 to Atlas and combining the triumphs of Veracruz and Puebla, Tigres ocupéis the last place in the percentage table and is now the direct rival of the Sharks in the fight to maintain the category.
As in game 15, they need a victory to save themselves. Their advantage is that they'll play the 16th at home, but to their disadvantage they will face Santos.
Even though they won, Veracruz continues to be at the bottom, while the others breathe a sigh of relief in second-to-last place.
ARE THEY DEFLATING?
Jaguares are losing gas. In the three most recent games they have earned one point (they have 22), although they continue in second place in Group I, given that Toluca (24 points) can't take off, and Pachuca (21) is winless in the last two games. We hope they regain their step. The playing level of Bofo Bautista and Itamar Baptista will be missed in the playoffs.
REY CHILENO
Chupete Suazo is the highest scorer with 11 goals. He could give advantage in the 16th, because he suffered a mild contracture in one shoulder against Chivas. The other fact is that Alfredo Moreno will not be the top scorer again, having netted only six goals. Both Matías Vuoso and Claudio Graf have nine each.
FANTASY GAME
Players on the rise:
1.- Javier Cámpora, forward for Puebla. His scoring skills resurfaced just when his team needed him most. Three goals were his contribution for Puebla to keep running away from the lower part of the charts.
2.- Humberto Suazo, forward for Monterrey. A predator who's always in search of a prey. He scored the clincher against Chivas, and his stock is on the rise again.
3.- Santiago Raymonda, midfielder for Veracruz. Even though he scored his first goal in the tournament (against Jaguares) he was very important, because he paved the way to victory.
4.- Alfredo Moreno, forward for San Luis. Failed a penalty kick (his second in the tournament), but is still the scoring man that beats the opposite guard just at the right time. Is always on the lookout for a crack in the enemy's shield to attack through it.
5.- Giancarlo Maldonado, forward for Atlante. Reappeared after six games due to a penalization and later due to an operation. Against America he was ambitious and skillful with the ball, scoring a great goal.
Losing stock:
1.- Diego Cervantes, defender for América. He is not taking advantage of his role of starter, and his influence is felt most positively on the opposite team. He lost the ball to Giancarlo Maldonado, who combined with Místico Pereyra to store and secure the victory for the Potros 1-0.
2.- Omar Bravo, forward for Chivas. The chance of scoring his 100th goal is weighing heavily on him. He's had his chances but failed to capitalize. Lacks the calmness to complete the play. Against Monterrey he could have scored twice, but failed to do so.
3.- José de Jesús Corona, goalkeeper for Tecos. He didn't measure the consequences when he decided to charge against a shot by Pablo Zeballos. His timing was wrong, and for that he did not foresee a rebound of the ball that ended in his goal for Cruz Azul's first notch of the game.
4.- Adrián Martínez, goalkeeper for San Luis. Apparently, he had everything under control. His team was up 2-0, but "El Grande"
helped Morelia to score with a failed kick that left the ball all open to Horacio Cervantes, whom subsequently scored. And there were another 30 minutes of play left in the clock.
5.- Ignacio Scocco, forward for Pumas. Has the ability to score more and more goals, but he fails. He needs to practice his shooting in training, that's why he keeps missing the goal. Against Toluca he had the winning goal in his head. The great loss of energy he suffers in the final stretch does not help, either.