Neither José Francisco Torres nor second-half substitute Hérculez Gómez could help Pachuca out of their slump as los Tuzos dropped yet another decision, this time a 1-0 loss to Estudiantes Tecos, to remain at the bottom of Group 2 in the Mexican Primera División.
Gómez came close to equalizing for the visitors in the 84th minute, sending a low grazer just wide, but a converted penalty just after the hour mark stood for Estudiantes.
Daniel Atúnez (injury) and Samuel Ochoa (did not dress) missed the match for the home team.
Elsewhere, Jonathan Bornstein watched from the bench as Tigres UANL played to a scoreless draw against Chivas de Guadalajara, whose starting left back, Miguel Ángel Ponce, has yet to return from injury.
With the tie, the felines failed to keep sole possession of second place in the league table, while the Rojiblancos dropped to third in Group 1.
Also in Group 1, Fontana, Calif., native and Chivas USA Academy product Adrián Ruelas played nine minutes off the bench in Santos 3-2 loss to Club América. The match marked the US U-20 forward's debut in the Mexican top flight.
[inline_node:329987]Querétaro midfielder Isaác Acuña (right) got his third straight start, playing 73 minutes as los Gallos Blancos fell 2-0 to defending champs Monterrey. Acuña had a good showing but failed to help the visitors avoid defeat as they moved into Group 3’s basement.
Climbing out of said Group 3 basement were left back Edgar Castillo and Puebla, who defeated Atlas 2-0. The defender came on in the final minute of play to see the pitch for the first time in four matches.
Down in the Liga de Ascenso, Joe Corona mustered a shot on target in 30 minutes of play as a second-half sub as Tijuana continued their march up the league table with a 2-1 win against Correcaminos.
The result puts the defending champs Xoloitzcuintles in fifth place with seven games to go before the start of the playoffs.
Other results:
Mexican Primera: Francisco López didn’t dress for Jaguares’ 0-0 tie against San Luis.
Mexican Primera: Sonny Guadarrama watched from the dugout as Atlante were defeated 2-0 by Pumas UNAM.
Liga de Ascenso: Marco Vidal wasn’t in the gameday roster for León’s 1-0 win over Mérida.
Liga de Ascenso: Joaquín Alonso didn’t dress for Indios’ 1-1 tie vs. Cruz Azul Hidalgo.
