Sports

America and Monterrey Win Their Clasicos; They'll now face each other

America and Monterrey will face each other in the semifinal round.

The first two semifinalists are in and they will face each other. Club America and Monterrey CF will play each other in the next round of the playoffs after winning their "Clasicos"

America suffered a little more than Monterrey but ended up taking a 2-1 win in the second leg (3-1 win in aggregate) over fellow Mexico City rivals Pumas UNAM. The America side had gotten a 0-1 win in the first leg and obligated visiting Pumas to search for two goals.

Pumas got the first of the two goals they needed in the 21st minute of the first half, Paraguayan Robin Ramirez hit a wonder strike from outside of the box to give Pumas the lead. They would take that lead to half time; and needed only one goal in the final 45 minutes to advance to semifinals.

In the second half Christian "Chucho" Benitez leveled the score for America, giving the home fans something to cheer about. Pumas was still has in search of only one goal that would put them through.

America was content of letting Pumas have control of the game. America decided to concentrate on defending, and the substitutions mad by the manger reflected this. Pumas were able to get near America's goal thanks to the facilities the hone side was offering; but they weren't able to create much danger on Moises Muñoz. In the final play of the game, "Chucho" Benitez chased down a long clearness, he was able to fight off two defenders and put the ball past the Pumas goalkeeper to seal the long suffered victory.

Over in the north Tigres looked to over come a 1-0 loss in the first leg to fellow city rivals Monterrey. Tigres came out on fire and looked for the one goal that would see them through to the semifinals. Danilinho have the home side that joy in the 12th minute with an authentic "golazo'.

The 1-0 score was giving Tigres the pass into semfinals, but a huge mix up in the back between goalkeeper Enrique Palos and defender Israel Jimenez ended up costing Tigres an own goal by Jimenez. Thanks to the away goal being put in place last season, Tigres would now need two goals in order to advance.

Monterrey crowed the midfield the rest of the game not letting the Tigres team build up their plays. Tigres got close but when ever the Monterrey defense didn't stop them they found an inspired Juan de Dios Ibarra; Monterrey's backup goalkeeper.

Monterrey looked for quick counter attacks especially through Humberto "Chupete" Suazo, and later in the game through Jesus "Tecatito" Corona. Central defender nearly got a wonder goal with a powerful strike from way outside the box that ended up hitting the cross bar and bouncing on the goal line.

Monterrey were able to hold off the Tigres attacks through the final whistle and are now in the semifinal round.

Club America is now the highest seed left, while Monterrey will always be the lowest seed in these playoffs. This means that they are now set to face each other in the semifinal round.

jonny.rico@sandiegored.com

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