GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Former US Under-20 international Alonso Hernandez was a key figure in Monterrey’s 1-0 win over Puebla on Tuesday in the Copa MX.
The 19-year-old attacker picked the ball up just outside the penalty area, skipped past two opposition defenders and played a reverse pass to send Luis Guillermo Madrigal through to score the winner three minutes after halftime.
Hernandez was heavily involved in the No. 10 role, with Los Rayados dominating after Puebla – who were without DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco Fiscal – had Rodrigo Iñigo sent off one minute before halftime.
The only blotch for Hernandez was a high tackle in the 29th, for which he was lucky not to get a red card. The result guarantees Monterrey a place in the knockout stages of the Copa MX.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Ventura Alvarado went 90 minutes for Necaxa in their 1-0 home loss to Dorados, for whom Jesus Padilla also completed the full match. Neither side has any chance of making the final stages of Mexico’s domestic cup competition.
Finally, former Seattle Sounders forward Sammy Ochoa was left on the bench for Lobos BUAP in their 1-0 loss to Alebrijes.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com.
