America Settle For Draw With Jaguares

America and Jaguares split everything down the middle on Sunday as they played to a 1-1 tie. This was America’s third home game in a row. Ezequiel Orozco opened up the scoring for Jaguares in the second half. Enrique Esqueda tied things just eight minutes later with a header.

America hold down the second spot in group two with a 2 goal differential over third place Monterrey. Jaguares can kiss the Liguilla good bye thanks to their last place stance in group 2.

First Half 

America had the Liguilla in sight but Jaguares, the best visiting team in the league, would not let things go easy for America. 

Jaguares came out pressuring the America back line but the Aguilas would have the first chance in the game. Jean Beausejour crossed the ball from the left side where it found Salvador Cabañas. Cabañas brought the ball down and place it for Daniel Montenegro. "Rolfi" had a go but his shot was stopped by Oscar Perez. 

Jaguares responded one minute later in the 6th courtesy of Oribe Peralta. Danilo Veron Barrios drove the ball down the right side of the box before crossing the ball over to Peralta. Peralta pulled back and let it fly but Guillermo Ochoa was well positioned and made the save. 

The game dropped in rhythm shortly after but America still looked for the opening goal. 

Salvador Cabañas missed his goal in the 19th minute. Angel Reyna put in a great service from the left side. Cabañas grazed the ball with his head. The ball went straight to the hands of "El Conejo" who looked well poised in goal. 

Jaguares were arriving at the America box but did not have a clear shot on goal until the 40th minute. Ezequiel Orozco blasted the ball from outside the box. The shot had a lot behind it but Ochoa did well to handle the ball.  

Both teams entered the locker rooms all squared at the half. 

Second Half  

The start of the second half saw fewer chances for both teams. Jaguares and America had good chances but they had their shots go wide or stopped by an opposing defender.

The first real chance of the half did not come until the 67th minute. Adolfo Rosinei tried from long distance for America but his shot was stopped without complications by Perez.

Jaguares responded one minute later with a goal. Juan Carlos Valenzuela committed a grave error and Ezequiel Orozco did not waste the opportunity. Orozco drove the ball down the field before putting the ball past Guillermo Ochoa. Jaguares took a 1-0 lead.

America was not going to lose this one and scored the tying goal in the 75th. Pavel Pardo crossed the ball from the left side and Enrique Esqueda was able to get to it. Esqueda headed the ball past Perez and gave his team the tying goal. 

Both teams went at each other’s throats for the rest of the encounter but none could get a shot past the keepers or a shot on goal for that matter. 

The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Sylvestre Adame, Goal.com

For more coverage of the Mexican Apertura 2009 season, visit Goal.com's Mexico section.