GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Last in the Liga MX relegation table, Michael Orozco stressed the need for Puebla to start winning games, but they couldn't do it on Saturday as La Franja could only manage a gritty 0-0 home tie against Cruz Azul.
The US international played the full 90 minutes on the right side of the defense and picked up a yellow card in the 20th minute for a late tackle as Puebla were shut out for a second consecutive match.
Herculez Gomez came off the bench with Puebla searching for a winner, but the result means the side is now five points adrift of Chivas in the relegation table after Chivas claimed a 1-0 home win against Pachuca on Saturday.
It was a clean sheet, too, for Ventura Alvarado and Club América, who overcame Tigres 1-0 in the Estadio Azteca in a repeat of the Apertura 2014 final.
With usual starter Pablo Aguilar out suspended, 22-year-old Alvarado played in his more accustomed center back role and was one of Las Aguilas’ standout performers.
Edgar Castillo’s Atlas came within a couple of minutes of leap-frogging Club Tijuana at the top of the Liga MX, but Pumas struck late to earn a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Jalisco.
The left back Castillo was more conservative than usual with his runs forward, but he completed the full 90 minutes. Atlas are now on seven points from their first four matches of the Clausura.
Tom Marshall covers Americans based in Mexico for MLSsoccer.com.
