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Latin American Weekend Rewind: Pumas claims Mexican title, Ronaldinho stars for Flamengo and more

PumasChamps (Getty)

By DAVID MOSSE

Pumas UNAM didn't put forth a great performance on Sunday, but goals from former Chivas USA standout Francisco Palencia and Javier Cortes proved the difference, as Guillermo Vasquez's side claimed the Clausura title with a 2-1 victory over Morelia.

Palencia opened the scoring from the penalty spot early in the first half before Jaime Lozano equalized, raising the tension at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario.

It took a moment of brilliance from Cortes just 13 minutes from time to break the deadlock, as Pumas' leading scorer on the season beat three defenders and blasted a shot past Morelia goalkeeper Federico Vilar. The visitors had no choice but to pour forward in the closing moments, but were unable to seriously trouble Miguel Alejandro Palacios, as Pumas held on for the win.

There was controversy, as Morelia's Miguel Sabah had a strong penalty shout waved away after being taken down in the box by defender Dario Veron, but few could argue with Pumas' triumph. Los Auriazules lost only three times in the entire campaign en route to a seventh national title, moving just one shy of Cruz Azul for fourth best among Mexican clubs. Guadalajara leads with 11.

Pumas is headed to the Concacaf Champions League next term, while Morelia faces a qualifying series to earn a place in the group stage. Vasquez, meanwhile, confirmed his status as one of the bright, young managers in the domestic game by guiding a team with an interesting blend of youth and experience. Pumas will now look to repeat the feat it achieved in 2004 under Hugo Sanchez by winning the Clausura and Apertura titles in the same calendar year.

Here's a rundown of all the weekend scores from some of South America's top leagues:


ARGENTINA

Velez Sarsfield is back on track on the domestic front after knocking off Gimnasia (La Plata) on Sunday to maintain its lead atop the Clausura standings. Uruguayan hitman Santiago Silva scored a sensational goal to confirm his status as the most in-form striker in Argentinian soccer. Maxi Moralez added the second from the penalty spot and Arsenal target Ricky Alvarez shined as well.

Boca Juniors was unable to build on last week's win over River Plate with another victory against Arsenal Sarandi, but Pablo Mouche did find the back of the net eight minutes from time to at least salvage a 2-2 draw. Lucas Viatri accounted for Boca's other goal with a clinical header, while Ivan Obolo and Lisandro Lopez scored for the home side, which finds itself 17th in the standings.

Newell's Old Boys 1, CA All Boys 0
Atletico Banfield 1, Godoy Cruz 1
Tigre 0, Lanus 3
Argentinos Juniors 0, Olimpo 1
Atletico Huracan 0, Estudiantes 2*
Independiente 3, Atletico Colon 1
Quilmes 2, Racing Club 0
River Plate 1, San Lorenzo 1

*match suspended after 32 minutes

BRAZIL

Ronaldinho showcased his full repertoire of skills, guiding Flamengo to a 4-0 win over Avai in the opening round of the Brazilian Championship. The 31-year-old has struggled since returning to his native country, but he was in sensational form on Saturday, scoring one goal and setting up another. Thiago Neves also celebrated his recent national call-up by finding the back of the net.

Sao Paulo made an even more impressive start, however, brushing aside defending champions Fluminense 2-0 thanks to a brilliant performance from Lucas. The youngster played a part in the opening goal by Dagoberto, then sealed the victory with a majestic solo effort early in the second half in which he raced past several defenders before beating opposing goalkeeper Ricardo Berna.

Atletico Mineiro 3, Atletico Paranaense 0
Ceara 1, Vasco da Gama 3
Santos 1, Internacional 1
Coritiba 0, Atletico Club Goianense 1
Figueirense 1, Cruzeiro 0
Gremio 1, Corinthians 2
Palmeiras 1, Botafogo 0
America 2, Bahia 1

URUGUAY

Nacional is on the verge of claiming the Clausura title after knocking off Danubio on Saturday to open up a five-point lead atop the standings. Mauricio Pereyra fired home the winner early in the second half, while goalkeeper Rodrigo Munoz came up with a number of big saves. Danubio was actually the better team, but Diego Perrone and Alvaro Gonzalez missed several opportunities.

Unlike Argentina's Velez Sarsfield, Penarol has clearly decided to prioritize the Copa Libertadores, virtually throwing in the towel in the Clausura Championship. Diego Aguirre rested all his starters on Sunday, as Penarol was held to a 1-1 draw by Defensor Sporting. The only regular to see any action was goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa, who actually stopped a penalty to at least salvage a point.

Centro Atletico Fenix 2, Bella Vista 2
Miramar 0, Liverpool 4
River Plate 4, Montevideo Wanderers 2
Tacuarembo 2, Central Espanol 1
CA Cerro 2, El Tanque Sisley 1
Racing Montevideo 3, Rampla 2

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What did you think of this week's results? Impressed by Pumas knocking off Morelia? Think the Brazilian Championship will live up to the hype?

Comments

  1. MLS can’t afford Ronaldinho because the Brazilian clubs can offer more money.

    In case you forgot:

    1. Brazil is now an oil-exporting nation. That wasn’t the case 5 years ago.

    2. Brazil can’t dig up iron ore fast enough to sell to the Chinese and the Koreans.

    Result: Brazilian banks are now flush with cash to loan (or to give away via sponsorship purchases) to big Brazilian soccer clubs to buy players.

    Reply
  2. Furthermore, the Xolos will have to hand over to the US Soccer Federation 35% of gross ticket receipts if the Xolos were to play a home game across the border at Qualcomm Stadium (or Petco Park or any other stadium in the U.S.)

    I would be very surprised if the Xolos were to play home games across the border. Grupo Caliente wants to build up Estadio Caliente by adding additional executive boxes.

    Reply
  3. you from San Diego MadKing? what i’m reading from the buildup to the final, San Diego press was covering this TJ story. I guess it depends on how hard it would be for TJ fans to get across. If its easy, then smart move. If not, then yes a stadium full of Mexican fans of Club America from Los Angeles would be offputting to TJ fans watching the game on the television. It may become San Diego’s team too..with Corona

    Reply
  4. That Cortes goal for Pumas looked real pretty but the defenders were very tired.

    I am glad Once Caldas finaly won; too bad they did not win last week against Santos.

    Ronaldinho likes to turn it on when he feels like it. He must have had a bet going with somebody and wanted to win. He wont do much the whole season in Rio except be on the prowl for Bunda.

    I hope Velez Sarsfield did not hurt there chances in the Copa Libertadors. They are the only one that can stop Santos in the Finals.

    Sure hope Boca gets going. The have been Mediocre for too long now.

    Reply
  5. To play games at Qualcomm would that not turn off the fan from TJ who supports the team? They could not go to the choice games. I think it would be a bad PR move for short sighted money.

    Reply
  6. With possible games at Qualcomm versus Club America & Chivas Guadelajara, since TJ’s stadium only holds 33k. It’ll be nice forcing all those teams from the capital to fly two time zones to play in TJ.

    Reply
  7. Colombia’s league also played over the weekend. Uruguay’s league < Colombia's…

    America De Cali 2 – 3 Dep. TolimaAtl. Nacional 3 – 1 Itagui Ditares
    Cucuta 1 – 0 Chico
    Envigado 2 – 0 Pereira
    Huila 1 – 4 Dep. Cali
    Junior 3 – 2 Millonarios
    La Equidad 1 – 0 Quindio
    Once Caldas 1 – 0 Ind. Medellin
    Santa Fe 1 – 0 Cartagena

    Reply
  8. Anyone know what is going on with the US roster?

    Ussoccer . com says there is a delay because of a late change.

    Reply
  9. American-born Joe Benny Corona Crespin scored and had an assist to help Club Tijuana gain promotion to the Primera Division with a 2-1 win over Irapuato this weekend. Highlights can be seen by clicking the Yanks Abroad Soccer Highlights link under the SBI Blog Roll on the upper right side of this page.

    Reply

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