GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Tuesday evening will be etched forever onto the memory of Monterrey striker Alonso Hernandez.
The US U-23 international completed the game and scored an 87th-minute winner for his side as Los Rayados defeated San Luis 2-1 in Copa MX. Hernandez chested the ball down on the right side of the box from a left-wing cross, waited for the bounce and struck a low, drilled right-footed shot into the far corner from a tight angle.
It was the 20-year-old Hernandez’s first goal at the full first-team level, and the win consolidated Monterrey in first place in Group 2 on nine points, with only one team from each group guaranteed to advance.
In Tijuana, Greg Garza and Joe Corona both started in a strong Xolos side that drew 1-1 with Coras FC in Group 3. Corona was quiet on the right side of midfield, with his best moment coming in the 53rd minute, when he sent a long through-ball to put Argentine Dario Benedetto in on goal, but Benedetto failed to control the ball.
Garza was a bright spot for Xolos, bursting down the left flank with plenty of energy and supporting left midfielder Juan Arango well. The point for Tijuana leaves them on six points, level with Coras and Chivas.
Elsewhere, Daniel Cuevas went 56 minutes in Lobos BUAP’s 1-1 home tie to Veracruz in Group 7, while Austin Guerrero played the full 90 in goal in Altamira’s 2-2 away draw against Querétaro.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
