Santos And America All Squared At The TSM

There was very little between Santos and America as they played to a 1-1 tie. Santos and America were evenly matched in the Mexican league debut of Santo's new stadium. Salvador Cabañas scored first for the visiting team. America looked to have the game won but a 92nd minute goal from Carlos Ochoa rescued a point for Santos.  

America will face Monterrey in the first round of the Liguilla while Santos have to visit Morelia.  

First Half  

Santos wanted to assert themselves in their newly built stadium but Enrique Esqueda had different plans.  

Esqueda's first attempt came in the 2nd minute. "La Paleta" cut into the box and tired it but his attempt sailed over the bar. Esqueda saw another chance in the 5th minute. Esqueda found himself inside the box once more but this time Christian Sanchez dove in to block his shot.  

Santos did not react until the 8th minute. Darwin Quintero drove down the left side but Guillermo Ochoa cut off the spaces and blocked the shot.  

The game was pretty much even with America playing for home field advantage in the Liguilla and Santos playing for the stadiums very first win in the Mexican tournament.  

Esqueda made his presence felt again in the 22nd minute. Angel Reyna drove in a good cross from the right side. Esqueda was able to connect with his head but the ball bounced off the crossbar keeping the things leveled at 0.  

Things would not stay leveled for long however.  

America opened up the scoring in the 24th minute. Enrique Esqueda was a man on fire. He drove the ball into the box and created space for his teammates. Esqueda poked the ball through to Salvador Cabañas who slotted it home.

Santos tried to create something offensively but the America back line held strong, protecting their 1-0 lead.  

Las Aguilas would have one more chance before the half. Salvador Cabañas recieved the ball, turned and shot. The ball was heading in but Oswaldo Sanchez' heroics kept it out.  

Second Half  

Santos knew they were trailing and came out flying in the second half.

Walter Jimenez had a point blank effort in the 46th minute. Jimenez hit it with his head right infornt of the goal. Guillermo Ochoa showed his great reflexes by stopping the ball.  

Enrique Esqueda kept bringing the pressure in the 52nd minute. Esqueda drove the ball into the box to a pursuing Adlofo Rosinei. Rosinei connected with a low driven shot but Oswaldo Sanchez made the save.  

Salvador Cabañas almost had his second goal in the 58th minute. Cabañas  cleared his path after beating Walter Jimenez and pulled the trigger. The ball just missed going into the angle.   

The rest of the half was kept at midfield as America looked content to keep their 1-0 win. Santos however, would not walk away empty handed.  

Carlos Ochoa rescued a point for Santos in the 92nd minute. Guillermo Ochoa saved a shot from Santos but left the ball in front of goal. Carlos Ochoa followed the play and drove the ball in.  

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 page.