[Gabemar]

Match Up

Keepers
Morelia Buljubashich has been decent in this tournament will not make many mistakes but will not be spectacular either
America: Pineda is an OK goalie nothing out of the ordinary from him
Advantage: EVEN

Defenders:
Morelia this defensive line is somewhat suspect they are averaging almost 2 goals scored against per game
America: this is probably the strongest area of America Rojas and Davino do very good job in containing the opposition attack
Advantage: America

Midfield
Morelia Led by Tato Noriega, which IMO is one of the best Mexican midfielders, is a very dinamic group specially on the flanks
America: Castillo and Oviedo are the engines od\f this team, they have been hit by injuries lately let's see if they have recuperated.
Advantage: EVEN

Forwards
Morelia: is simply the most explosive offensive team in this Liberatdores Alex and Galvan are almost unstopable
America: Navia has been a god-send to them with Zamorano nursing injuries and Hernandez with the Mexico NT, they need all the help they can get.
Advantage: Morelia

Morelia quite posibly is the best Mexican team at the moment. America will miss Hernandez and Villa and hope that Oviedo and Zamorano stay healthy.

Winner: Morelia

 

[colocolo]

This is a NO brainer for me ... Fisrt of all I've got to support the only Team with Chileans left and most importantly .. I dont like Romano and or his style of soccer .. Ever since he sunk my favorite Mexican Team..Toros de Celaya while coaching there ..I have no respect for him or his Teams .

 

[Kostas]

I predict on America.

They have a more fascinating team

 

[QUESOPARMESANO]

It is really a complicate prediction, but finally America will head the next round.

 

[colocolo]

Navia brace carries America over Monarcas

05/08/2002.

Monarcas Morelia hosted Club America on Tuesday evening in the Estado Morelos of Morelia, in what many people had hyped as the biggest rumble in Mexico since the Battle of Puebla of 1862. The two squads were fighting for the right to represent Mexico in the 2002 Copa Libertadores Semifinal round and a chance to bring the most precious South American trophy north. The match was indicative of a battle, as there were many fights and shoving matches happening all over the pitch. Both teams finished with 9 men, but in the end it was the Los Aguilas defeating Monarcas by the score of 2-1.

Monarcas led early on, with Hugo Chavez getting behind Club America's defense in the 2nd minute of the match. His initial shot was block by Aguilas keeper Adolfo Rios, but an opportunistic Carlos Morales was in position to finish. In the first half, it appeared that Monarcas would be well on their way in trying to achieve the sacred Treble, but that all changed in the last 45 minutes of the match.

In the second half, America started to control the pace of the match. Then probably the most influential moment of the match happened in the 64th minute, as Ruben Romano pulled Jorge Noriega for a more defensive minded Jaime Alarcon. Romano has been seen as the savior of Morelia, as Monarcas started 2002 a little bit slow and Romano resurrected the team to its current form. However, the play after that move was totally dominated by the Aguilas. 8 minutes later, Reinaldo Navia scored the equalizer on a beautiful run from the left side of the pitch. Navia was fed a through ball from Christian Patiño and Navia found space between the defenders. Navia was through to the Monarcas box, with only Monarcas netminder, Jose Buljubasich to beat. Navia shook Buljubasich and moved more to the left. Then from a very tight angle, Navia calmly put the ball into the net.

Then 3 minutes later, the Navia show would perform an encore performance. Pavel Pardo was able to streak to the right side of the Morelia penalty area, and place a wonderful cross in the Morelia area. Navia would get to the end of that cross and send a volley shot in from 9 yards out for the lead. Unfortunately the Navia show would end a bit early, because in the 80th minute Navia would be shown red. The Chilean reacted negatively to getting his head jerked backwards, as Mr. Ramon Morales grabbed a handful of Navia's hair. Navia would then proceed to slap Morales in the face. Morales would embellish the action, but Center Judge, Eduardo Brizio, had seen the whole affair and sent both players to the locker room. Then in the 85th minute, Jesus Mendoza appeared to bite Alexandro Fernandez on the side of his face. Mendoza was reacting after being violently brought down by Fernandez and Brizio was tired of the commotion, and sent both players to the locker room. This is only round one of the Battle of Mexico. Round two will be played in Estadio Azteca on May 16th. Be sure to check back to this epic Copa Libertadores match-up.

:cap:

:cap: The Hero !!!

 

[Gabemar]

Everything to play for next week, but who will score for America with Navia suspended

 

[colocolo]

Everything to play for next week, but who will score for America with Navia suspended

Actually..that's an area where they have plenty of depth...Lipatin...BamBam .... Oviedo....
Navia is proving to Tecos and the soccer Scouts that there in Guadalajara .. he's going to waste...Dont you think ???

 

[Gabemar]

America 2 = Morelia 1 FINAL

America was able to hold off an all out attack by Morelia. America is the only undefeated team in the Libertadores.

 

[colocolo]

Thank You AMERICA !!! I want you to WIN it ALL !!!!!!




:happy::happy::happy: