GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Ventura Alvarado started his third consecutive Liga MX game for Club América on Saturday, as the reigning champion thrashed Chiapas, 5-0, in Estadio Azteca.
Alvarado slotted in on the right of coach Gustavo Matosas’ three center backs, in a shift of formation for América. The change suited 22-year-old Alvarado who survived an early penalty appeal, but aside from that was authoritative in a game his side dominated.
Also Saturday, forward Herculez Gomez started his first Liga MX game of 2015 for Puebla and was busy in his team’s 2-0 home victory over a lackluster Monterrey, before coming off in the 70th minute. Gomez did well for his team’s second goal in the 50th, when he let the ball through for Matias Alustiza, who was in a better position to score.
Michael Orozco put in a steady performance at right back for Puebla, sending a perfectly weighted ball over the top in the 17th minute, from which Flavio Santos crossed for Gomez, whose shot was blocked before Alustiza fired against the bar.
Saturday evening wasn’t so positive for left back Edgar Castillo or his Atlas side, which fell, 3-1, to Pachuca in Estadio Jalisco.
All three goals from Los Tuzos came down the right wing, with Castillo caught up-field for the first, outpaced by Jurgen Damm for the second, and beaten to the ball by the same player for the third. Castillo also received a yellow card in the second half, apparently for talking back to the referee, to cap off a miserable night for two-time Liga MX champion.
