Photo Credit: Club America
By Jonny Rico
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Club America reached the final match day with a simple scenario, avoid defeat at home against Pachuca, the worst attack in the entire league,and be guaranteed a place in the Liga MX playoffs. Lose by one goal and hope that the mighty and powerful Monterrey did not lose to the relegation candidate Morelia, lose by two or more goals and say goodbye to the playoffs.
America could not get the job on their end and did not get the necessary help from CF Monterrey.
The most successful club in Liga MX history is officially eliminated following its 3-2 loss at home to Pachuca on Saturday evening. Pachuca were also looking to win that final playoff ticket which America came in holding. Pachuca needed a two goal win to surpass America in the standings but would require that Morelia to not pick up all three points in it’s visit to Monterrey. A one goal win for Pachuca would not be enough seeing as America would still hold a better goal difference.
Pachuca took a 2-0 lead to the halftime break. That result would be enough for the recently crowned CONCACAF Champions League winners if not for the fact that Morelia was unexpectedly winning in Monterrey.
Checkout how crazy things got in Liga MX during the halftime break of the five games happening at the same time.
As has been the case for Club America all season long, the fighting spirit of the players and sheer will to succeed pushed the team forward. All season long there has been a lack of talent and quality in the America squad but that winning mentality had pushed the players to acheive some unlikely results.
America was able to fight back and tie the game at 2-2 meaning that it did not matter what was happening elsewhere. With the draw and one point in the league standings America would have secured a playoff position. But the weakness in the America squad was once again on display as they allowed a free header in the box to allow Pachuca a third goal on the night.
America was back to needing outside help from Monterrey in order to qualify to the playoffs with the score 3-2 in Pachuca’s favor. That help seemed to be coming in when Monterrey converted an 88th minute penalty into the equalizing goal against Morelia. A goal that meant not only that Morelia would be bounced out of the playoffs but out of the entire Liga MX. Without the three points Morelia would be the relegated team since the other relegation candidate, Chiapas FC was winning and ended up taking the win over Atlas FC.
But a stoppage time goal by Raul Ruidiaz changed everything. The 2-1 Morelia win in Monterrey gave Morelia the Liga MX salvation and they all avoided the drop into the Liga de Ascenso (second division), it gave Morelia the final playoff tickets and in the process it eliminated the last two CCL champions Club America and Pachuca.
Morelia avoids relegation by a one point difference with Chiapas FC and finishes the regular season in eight place of the league table. Morelia will now move on to face Tijuana Xolos in the quarterfinals stage of the 2017 Clausura season.
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