Pachuca failed to take advantage of their home field, falling 3-1 to Club America in their Clausura Liguilla Quarterfinal first leg.
The first half wasn't really great, but it wasn't really bad either. Both Pachuca and America were cautious early, clearly not wanting to give up the first goal. America seemed content to defend and make forays into the attacking third when the opportunity presented itself, but there was no real sense of urgency. Pachuca on the the other hand played more like a team that knew they needed a goal or two in this home first leg, which is logical thinking.
Unfortunately for los Tuzos, they couldn't find any goals, but America did.
In the 39th minute, after a 2-on-1 break forced a nice save from Rodolfo Cota, America took advantage on the subsequent corner. Daniel Montenegro's corner kick was met by Jesus Molina who rose above everyone and headed it inside the post. Despite having Molina surrounded with a handful of defenders, everyone in a Pachuca jersey stood flat footed and watched as he put America into the lead.
Three minutes later, America struck again. Montenegro made a great run, beating two Pachuca defenders and putting a shot in that was parried away by Cota. Montenegro followed the rebound and sent the ball back across the box to Christian Bermudez who was trailing the play and beat the keeper with a hard, low shot. More poor defending from Pachuca and a 2-0 deficit at home after the first half.
Things didn't get much better for Pachuca in the second half as Bermudez, once again trailing the play, squeezed a shot just inside the post off the cross from José Cárdenas to make it 3-0 in the 58th minute.
It appeared that Pachuca had pulled one back in the 61st minute, but Felix Borja's goal was disallowed thanks to an inexplicable offside call from the linesman. Replays showed there were two America defenders keeping him onside. Tuzos fans were less than impressed and expressed their feelings with a refuse shower directed towards the linesman who made the call.
Tuzos did finally get on the scoreboard in the 77th minute after America's Deigo Rosales pulled down Edy Brambila with the slightest of jersey pulls and Pachuca was awarded a penalty. Leobardo López converted the PK to make it 3-1.
The second leg is scheduled for Saturday at 7:00pm ET at Estadio Azteca.
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