America, on a good streak
Here is America, a team that has been on a good streak. The Coapa team achieved their third victory, defeated Xolos de Tijuana 2-1, they are now in third place in the general table, and they are starting to find those sensations that were seen in the previous tournament.
The azulcrema team went out with the same determination as in the last few games. Tano Ortiz's team is taking firm steps to find that feeling from the previous season when they were the best team in the regular phase. They are now a recognizable team that flows in their automatisms, but they still have moments of difficulty when the tension decreases.
The Eagles came out determined to end the week in a perfect way. They know that at this stage of the tournament, they are expected to be protagonists regardless of the opponent. They have to show the conviction to win by any means necessary because the table is so tight that a bad result can drop you one or two positions. The azulcrema team understood this and launched themselves in search of Toño Rodríguez's goal. Tano has found the midfield-forward line-up and continues to rotate in defense.
Toño, light and shadow
Leo Suárez repeated on the right flank, and the Argentine had a key role in the game because he was the author of the goal that put the Eagles ahead, although he owes a big thanks to the border goalkeeper because Toño missed a free kick that was going towards his post. He took one step too many, and that movement left him with no options to do anything.
A tough moment for the goalkeeper because being the standout until that point was useless. Previously, the goalkeeper had frustrated several goal opportunities for the Americanistas, as Valdés' shot hit the crossbar and he also had the fortune of denying Henry his tenth goal of the season.
Up until then, Toño had been a standout and had sustained the Miguel Herrera's team, which had some moments of danger but nothing that scared Óscar Jiménez. Xolos couldn't count on Joaquín Montesinos, and the border team missed a player who could make a difference.
America controlled the game through possession. The team is in good form, and Tijuana had a hard time finding connections between lines. And when they managed to do it, the Azulcrema defense stood tall.
Tight match
After the break, America didn't trust themselves, and Henry showed solidarity. The striker controlled a long ball from Israel Reyes, won the position, and headed towards the area. It seemed like he had the opportunity to attempt the shot, but he noticed that Valdés was alone in the center and assisted the Chilean, who only had to tap the ball in. Coapa's team had the game resolved in the 51st minute.
Tijuana's reaction was not reckless. Canelo had the chance to score, but he didn't make good contact with his head, and his shot went over the crossbar. To Xolos' misfortune, Misael Domínguez was shown a red card in the 70th minute. America lowered the intensity, and in the final moments, Silvio Martínez scored a magnificent goal with a long-range shot that found the top corner.
The closing moments had some nervousness because Tijuana went all out to win, and they could have taken a valuable point, but they lacked luck. With a bit of difficulty, America took the three points, a solid week that leaves them in third place in the table, a clear message that they will fight for direct qualification to the playoffs.