Snak

Liga MX Wrap: Pumas UNAM punish Atlante, Cruz Azul class on show

Pumas UNAM thrashed Atlante 5-0 in Liga MX on Sunday, while Cruz Azul remain first after a comeback victory over Tijuana.

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A brace from Argentine striker Martin Bravo led Pumas to victory in Mexico City with the home side piling on five goals to claim their first win in five games in all competitions.

With Cruz Azul (28 points) and Toluca (25) leading the charge in Mexico´s top flight, Pumas´ win ensured they remain in the hunt for the title - albeit 10 points behind the leaders - in third position.

Pumas had not won a home league fixture since February 2 before Sunday´s game but it did not take them long to get on top against Atlante with Bravo nodding a corner into the net from close range in the 22nd minute.

The 27-year-old Argentine played a key role in Pumas´ second goal 17 minutes later, as his shot was parried into the path of Ismael Sosa, who scored.

Bravo completed his brace a minute before half-time, finding a pocket of space at the top of the box and turning sharply, before firing his shot past Atlante goalkeeper Eder Patino.

Diego Lagos made it 4-0 for the hosts on the hour mark with a first-time shot, while Dario Veron thrashed home Pumas´ fifth goal in the 88th minute, after controlling a corner with his thigh.

On Saturday, Cruz Azul trailed 1-0 at half-time thanks to Richard Ruiz´s goal for Tijuana just before the break but the leaders fought back in the second half to register their ninth win of the season.

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Marco Fabian scored in the 47th and 69th minutes as Cruz Azul bounced back from consecutive defeats to Tigres UANL and Sporting Kansas City in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Toluca remain a victory behind Cruz Azul after their 2-0 win at Queretaro on Friday, while Pachuca are fourth with 17 points, following a 3-1 loss to fifth-placed Santos Laguna (16 points).

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In other results, Tigres extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games in all competitions with a 1-0 win over Puebla, Atlas trumped Veracruz 1-0, Chiapas drew 2-2 with America, Morelia won 1-0 at Monterrey and Guadalajara defeated Leon 1-0.

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MLS Wrap: Fernandez fires late again for Timbers

Gaston Fernandez saved his new club Portland Timbers for the second time in two games, scoring a late equaliser again in the MLS on Sunday.

Fernandez´s stoppage-time header in the opening weekend of league action had given Portland a 1-1 draw against Philadelphia Union and the 30-year-old Argentine forward endeared himself even further to Timbers fans on Sunday when he tapped in to ensure the hosts drew with Chicago Fire.

Chicago had taken the lead in Portland with a 19th-minute penalty from Jeff Larentowicz but Fernandez claimed a share of the points for the Timbers, converting from close range after visiting goalkeeper Sean Johnson could only parry Darlington Nagbe´s initial shot.

The Timbers had almost two-thirds of possession at Providence Park and took 21 shots to the Fire´s 14 but failed to convert their dominance into a home victory for the second straight game.

Chicago started strongly with Brazilian midfielder Alex forcing Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts into a fine save from long range.

Soon after, Portland defender Norberto Paparatto barged into the back of Quincy Amarikwa, conceding a spot kick which Larentowicz converted.

The Fire were good value for their lead but had to survive a late first-half flurry with Johnson making a smart save from Portland skipper Will Johnson.

As the second half progressed, Portland started to gain more control with Chicago defending deeper and more desperately as the minutes passed.

In the 71st minute, Will Johnson failed to put the ball in the net with Fire custodian Sean Johnson stranded off his line after a mix-up between Chicago´s gloveman and defender Bakary Soumare, but it was 1-1 soon after as Nagbe´s powerful strike was parried into Fernandez´s path and the former Estudiantes forward made no mistake.

With four minutes remaining, Chicago were reduced to 10 men when Patrick Nyarko copped a second yellow card for a late challenge on Nagbe but the Fire had the best chance to snatch a late winner with Ricketts making a point-blank save from Soumare´s header in stoppage time.

Having drawn their opening two games, Portland sit sixth in the Western Conference table, two points adrift of Vancouver Whitecaps, who lead the standings.

Vancouver needed a late equaliser of their own to claim a 1-1 draw at Chivas USA on Sunday with Kekuta Manneh scoring in the 81st minute to cancel out Erick Torres´ first-half opener for the home side.

Costa Rica Primera Division Wrap: Perez Zeledon celebrate rare success

Struggling Perez Zeledon claimed a much-needed victory on Sunday, defeating UCR 2-1 in Costa Rica´s Primera Division.

Perez had not won since the opening round of the campaign and after going behind on the stroke of half-time, the cellar-dwellers looked set for yet another disappointing day.

But with a stroke of luck, the San Isidro-based club struck back in the second half with an own goal from UCR defender Jason Scott sending Perez level before Jose Sanchez scored three minutes later to give them a lead they would not relinquish.

While the win was not enough for Perez to rise above bottom spot in the table, Daniel Casas´ men did move within a point of second-bottom Puntarenas.

Perez have 10 points from 13 games, while Puntarenas (11 points) sit just behind Belen Siglo XXI (12).

Also on Sunday, Cartagines came from behind to draw 1-1 with Limon, while on Saturday, Puntarenas came from behind to draw 3-3 with Santos de Guapiles.

Deportivo Saprissa (28 points) remain first in the table despite not playing over the weekend, while second-placed Herediano have 27 points.

CONCACAF Champions League Preview: Gomez mouths off ahead of Galaxy, Tijuana clash

American striker Herculez Gomez has lashed out at former club Los Angeles Galaxy before they face his new employers Tijuana on Tuesday.

Tijuana will host Galaxy in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) quarter-final, after losing the first leg 1-0 in LA.

Gomez was convinced the Liga MX side deserved a better result but for some poor finishing and the 31-year-old United States international did not hold back in his criticism of the Galaxy after a strong contingent of Tijuana fans turned out in LA.

"I think it was disappointing for LA. You can´t claim to be one of the best fan bases and the flagship team of the league (MLS) and get shown up like this," Gomez told the MLS´ website.

"I´m sure their players feel disappointed."

Gomez, who played 53 games and scored 16 goals for the Galaxy between 2002 and 2006, added: "No, I´m not surprised (Tijuana dominated in the stands). I expected it. We´re really popular.

"People keep saying MLS should go to San Diego, but that´s maybe not such a good idea."

Gomez only came on in the 80th minute against the Galaxy in LA and despite starting in Tijuana´s league encounter on Saturday, which they lost 2-1 to Cruz Azul, it remains unclear if he will play much part in the second league after also criticising his coach Cesar Farias.

The Californian-born striker has scored nine times against MLS sides in the CCL and was not impressed by starting on the bench against LA.

"There´s a chip on my shoulder that I didn´t get more time today, that´s for sure," Gomez said.

"I think you should maybe know your players better. This is a tournament that I get up for. I´ve done a lot of things that have been positive in this tournament."

Brazilian striker Samuel scored the only goal of the game in the first leg, which put the Galaxy in the box seat to qualify for the CCL semi-finals for the second year in a row, while Tijuana have never reached the final four of the continental competition.

All three Mexican participants will host their second legs this week with Toluca and Cruz Azul to welcome San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City respectively on Wednesday.

San Jose needed a second-half stoppage time header from Alan Gordon to claim a 1-1 draw with Toluca last week, while Kevin Ellis scored the winner for Sporting in their 1-0 triumph over Cruz Azul.

In the fourth quarter-final, Panama´s Arabe Unido will host Alajuelense of Costa Rica on Thursday, after claiming a 0-0 draw away from home in the first leg.

Venezuela Primera Division Wrap: Zamora under siege, as Trujillanos, Mineros win

Trujillanos and Mineros de Guayana both ramped up the pressure on Venezuela Primera Division leaders Zamora on Sunday.

With Zamora´s Round 10 game postponed due to the Barinas-based outfit´s Copa Libertadores duties coming up on Tuesday, Trujillanos and Mineros both won to edge within two points of the Primera Division´s top team.

Trujillanos notched their third consecutive win with a 1-0 triumph over Deportivo Petare thanks to Irwin Anton´s 66th-minute penalty.

Mineros also won 1-0 on Sunday with the Guayana-based club overcoming Yaracuyanos 1-0 through Ricardo Blanco´s second-half strike.

Those victories saw both Trujillanos and Mineros rise to 20 points in second and third in the table, while Zamora (22 points) remain on top with a game in hand.

Caracas, who also have a game in hand, sit fourth with 19 points after being held to a scoreless draw at home by Atletico Venezuela.

In Maracaibo, hosts Zulia accounted for Atletico El Vigia 2-1, while in other results, Carabobo held Tucanes to a scoreless draw, Estudiantes de Merida and Deportivo Tachira drew 1-1 and Llaneros de Guanare´s clash with Deportivo Lara failed to produce a goal.

Colombia Primera A Wrap: Millonarios make ground on Atletico Nacional

Millonarios moved to within four points of Colombian Primera A leaders Atletico Nacional with a 3-0 win over Itagui on Sunday.

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Led by captain Mayer Candelo, Millonarios had few problems overcoming Itagui to rise to 21 points from 11 matches and claim second position in the table.

Millonarios leapfrogged Once Caldas and Santa Fe (both 20 points), while Nacional occupy top spot in the standings with 25 points.

Candelo played a role in all three of Millonarios´ goals on Sunday, providing the final pass to the latter two.

The 37-year-old attacking midfielder was part of a crisp move on the left-hand side of Millonarios´ attacking penalty area in the 13th minute, which culminated with Alex Diaz smashing the ball past Itagui goalkeeper David Gonzalez.

Itagui kept giving the home side too much space through the middle and on the stroke of half-time, Candelo burst forward with the ball at his feet, before feeding Dayro Moreno, who toe-poked his shot under Gonzalez.

In the 77th minute, Candelo teed up Harrison Otalvaro for Millonarios´ third goal after the 28-year-old midfielder was allowed to run unmarked through the middle of Itagui´s defence.

Sunday´s win was Millonarios´ third in a row in the Primera A and extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.

With Nacional held to a 1-1 draw by Deportivo Pasto on Friday, Millonarios edged closer to the league leaders.

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Once Caldas drew 1-1 at Boyaca Chico to drop to third, while Santa Fe defeated La Equidad 2-0 on Saturday to temporarily sit above Millonarios, before the latter´s win on Sunday.

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Uniautonoma extended Medellin´s misery at the bottom of the table, winning 4-2, while Deportes Tolima cruised to a 3-1 win over Junior, Envigado defeated Atletico Huila 2-0 and Deportivo Cali triumphed 2-1 over Patriotas Boyaca.

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In the other match of the weekend, Alianza Petrolera edged out Fortaleza 1-0.

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Ecuador Primera A Wrap: Emelec retain top spot, Barcelona stun Cuenca late

Champions Emelec remain in control in Ecuador´s Primera A after beating LDU Loja 2-1, while Barcelona continued their revival.

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Emelec have two games in hand on all bar two teams, and remain top of the table with 19 points after their victory over Loja.

The home side opened the scoring in Loja on Saturday with captain Pedro Larrea finding Jonny Uchuari in the right channel and the 20-year-old attacker´s shot looped into the net after deflecting off an Emelec defender.

Emelec responded early in the second half, however, with Luis Miguel Escalada notching a brace in the space of four minutes.

Escalada drove the ball into the net from the edge of the area just three minutes after half-time and then finished sharply on the turn in the 52nd minute to put Emelec in front.

The visitors held on through the rest of the match to win their fourth consecutive game in the Primera A.

Emelec moved to 19 points, one ahead of second-placed Independiente del Valle, who have played nine matches, two more than the 2013 champions.

Independiente defeated El Nacional 4-2 on Saturday to move three points ahead of third-placed Loja.

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On Sunday, Barcelona notched just their second win in seven games with a 2-1 triumph over bottom club Deportivo Cuenca.

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Cuenca, who have yet to win this season, scored first at the Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo in Guayaquil with Ronaldo Johnson heading into the net from close range in the 14th minute.

The visitors held onto their lead until the 83rd minute when Barcelona defender Luis Checa converted from a tight angle following a corner.

Barcelona completed a dramatic comeback in the fifth minute of stoppage time with Stalin Motta earning a penalty right on the edge of the box before captain Matias Oyola slammed his spot kick into the top corner.

The win made it six points in three games for Barcelona and the Guayaquil-based club moved up to seventh with 11 points overall.

In the other game on Sunday, Mushuc Runa trumped Deportivo Quito 1-0, while on Saturday, Universidad Catolica won 2-0 at LDU Quito and Manta drew 1-1 with Olmedo.

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Liga de Futbol Profesional Boliviano Wrap: Top four tightens after Real Potosi, Club Universitario draw

Both Real Potosi and Club Universitario missed the chance to claim an outright lead in Bolivia with the top two drawing 2-2 on Sunday.

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Universitario came from behind twice in the first half to remain level at the break and both sides seemed happy to claim a point in the second period.

The result left both clubs on 18 points with Real just ahead on goal difference, while San Jose (17 points) missed the chance to go top of the Liga del Futbol Profesional Boliviano after losing 3-1 to The Strongest on Saturday.

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Real started brilliantly at home with Ivan Zerda striking in just the sixth minute but Universitario eventually hit back through Mauricio Saucedo just after the half hour.

In a frantic finish to the first half, Rosauro Rivero put Real ahead again in the 45th minute but Universitario responded immediately with Gustavo Pinedo´s goal leaving the match at 2-2 at the break.

After a pulsating first half, neither team seemed willing to make a mistake after half-time, which ensured the match ended in a draw.

Sport Boys took advantage of that result and San Jose´s loss to move within a point of top spot with a 3-1 win over bottom club Nacional Potosi on Sunday.

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Marcos Ovejero, Leandro Ferreira and Reinaldo Parada all scored for Sport Boys as they rose to fourth position on 17 points, behind San Jose on goals scored.

The Strongest (16 points) sit fifth after second-half goals from Nelvin Soliz and Ernesto Cristaldo saw the La Paz outfit overcome San Jose, who suffered their first defeat in seven matches.

Bolivar made it two wins in a row with a 2-0 triumph over Guabira, as did Blooming, who defeated Wilstermann by the same scoreline, while Aurora and Oriente Petrolero played out a scoreless draw.

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Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Lopez lashes hat-trick to send Libertad top

Libertad reclaimed top spot in Paraguay´s Division Profesional with a 3-1 victory over Cerro Porteno thanks to a Rodrigo Lopez hat-trick.

Nacional Asuncion had temporarily moved into first position in the Paraguayan league table when they trumped 12 de Octubre 1-0 on Sunday but Libertad responded in the late kick-off, coming from behind to inflict a second straight loss on the reigning champions.

Oscar Romero gave Cerro the lead in the 12th minute with an opportunistic header, nodding a team-mate´s driven shot past the home side´s goalkeeper.

Libertad equalized just eight minutes later when Lopez converted from the spot and the Uruguayan striker put the hosts in front in the 33rd minute, powering a long-range header into the net from Jorge Moreira´s fine cross.

Moreira and Lopez combined again with four minutes left in the second half to wrap up Libertad´s victory.

Lopez picked up possession in midfield and burst forward before releasing Moreira down the right and the full-back returned the ball to the near post for Libertad´s gun marksman to score his sixth goal of the season.

The win took Libertad to 13 points from five games at the top of the table with Nacional one point behind.

Also on Sunday, third-placed Rubio Nu drew 2-2 at Guarani to move to eight points overall.

Olimpia defeated Deportivo Capiata 2-1 to claim their first win in four games, while Sol de America drew 1-1 with 3 de Febrero and General Diaz lost 1-0 at home to Sportivo Luqueno.

Uruguay Primera Division Wrap: Fenix stay top, Nacional lose

Fenix remained on top of the Uruguay Primera Division after claiming a last-gasp 1-1 draw at River Plate on Sunday.

The visitors salvaged a point in the dying seconds in Montevideo to maintain their impressive start to the Clausura season.

River had seemed on course for victory after 32-year-old forward Sebastian Taborda gave them the lead in the 29th minute.

But Fenix mustered a late response as Maximiliano Perez scored an equaliser in second-half stoppage time.

Fenix share top spot with Penarol and Danubio, with the trio one point clear of the Montevideo Wanderers, who edged giants Nacional 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.

Gaston Periero´s early goal was cancelled out by Rodrigo Pastorini for the Wanderers, who then moved in front through Mauricio Gomez.

Juan Cruz Mascia drew Nacional level four minutes before half-time, but Matias Santos´ second-half goal earned victory for the Wanderers.

Reigning Clausura champions Defensor Sporting conceded a lead in a disappointing 3-1 home loss to Cerro.

After a goalless first half, Defensor went ahead in the 46th minute thanks to Ramon Arias´ strike.

However, Defensor then collapsed in search of a fourth successive win in all competitions.

Carlos Grossmuller and Hector Acuna each scored penalties to put Cerro ahead, before the latter added a third goal with 10 minutes remaining.

Octavio Rivero scored a hat-trick as Rentistas beat Cerro Largo 3-1 on Sunday, while Jonathan Rodriguez´s second-half double gave 10-man Penarol a 4-3 win at El Tanque Sisley.

Elsewhere, Danubio beat Miramar Misiones 3-1, Sud America edged Liverpool 2-1, and Racing and Juventud played out a goalless draw.

mål

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