Mexico’s classic club, America defeated Atlas (3-1) in the 1st leg quarter final on Thursday and will take the lead home to Aztec Stadium for the 2nd leg this Sunday in the Mexican championship.

It was the Argentine combo of Lopez and Vuoso that provided the early fireworks as both strikers (despite Atlas’ 5 defender system) found the back of the net in the early minutes and put the contest out of reach for the shell-shocked Jalisco crowd.

Garduno’s old fashioned 4-3-3 system paid dividends as Lopez (playing as the left winger) found himself alone at the back post in the 5th min and fired home a brilliant strike that squeezed right beneath the keeper. The build up and cross from the right traveled across the box uncontested, falling to the Argentine’s clinical technique. 

Vuoso hit an equally brilliant running left-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area in the 19th min. and then celebrated the train with fellow teammates, enjoying some gamesmanship with the quality of the strikes. Germen Villa (adding to Atlas’ troubles) then scored an unanswered 3rd goal in the 58th min. with a blistering blast setup by Lopez. 

Atlas, however, forced a penalty as America’s defender and captain, Duilio Davino played a handball in the box. Atlas players petitioned hard that as the last man, Davino should be shown the red card, but it was America who got the last say as Ochoa saved Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega’s week effort.

And though Ochoa was called upon a number of times to keep America’s lead intact, the Columbian was unlucky again as his header came back off the crossbar. Atlas finally clawed back a slight life-line though as Rafael Murguia pulled one back in the 73rd min.

Mexico hosted one of the most intriguing fixtures of club football as the Mexican blood ties of the people, represented by the club Chivas, faced off against “The Eagles” of America, the cultured, debonair sportsmen of Mexico.

The Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara was thumping in appreciation of the rivalry as the game got off to a quick start. Chivas created the most in both playmaking and chances on goal as the American goalkeeper, Ochoa was forced into some very influential saves to keep the scores level.

The interchange and combination play of Chivas’ creative attacking players caused disruption and uncertainty in the American defense time-and-time again, and Bautista, Morales, and Medina were all unlucky to go in goalless at half-time.

America actually started out the better of the two sides in the 2nd half with goal-scoring veteran, Blanco being introduced. The substitution almost paid off as Blanco showed some quality touches and drew two dangerous free-kicks for his team.

Just as the game was about to go off keel, Chivas exploded with 2 goals in the space of three minutes to end any American hope of victory.

The striker, Bautista struck the first goal from distance off a deflected rebound with an outside-of-the-foot bender past a hapless Ochoa. Bautista’s wonder strike was immediately followed by Medina’s, who carved up an American defender deep in the box and delivered a left-footed cracker inside the back post.

Mexico, don�t let your economics stunt your soccer mind. You guys are too good. You were hitting upper 90 shots when the US wasn�t even hitting middle 60s. Whatever that means, you guys are letting your place in the economics lead your soccer lives at least in the press.���