Cruz Azul 3-1 Atlas: Maquina Finally Show Offensive Punch

Cruz Azul scored three goals - more than they had the entire season to date - en route to a victory over Atlas.

Feb 28, 2010 12:04:00 AM

More On :  Atlas, Cruz Azul
Melvin Brown - Cruz Azul (Mexsport)
Through the season's first 630 minutes, Cruz Azul had only scored two goals. In the first 19 minutes on Saturday, la Maquina matched that.

Melvin Brown provided an unlikely source of offense Saturday as Cruz Azul took out some scoring frustrations with a 3-1 win over Atlas at Estadio Azul.

Brown scored two goals, Emanuel Villa scored his first goal of the season and Christian Gimenez set up two goals as the Cruz Azul team that was expected to contend for a Liguilla spot finally showed up.
Don't Miss

Atlas, meanwhile, continued their skid. Los Zorros fell to 4-4-0 on the season and have lost two consecutive matches.

First Half

Brown opened the scoring just six minutes in. Adrian Cortes lifted a free kick from the right side of the field into the box and Brown jumped and headed the ball into the back of the net.

The second goal nearly started out like the first, as a free kick came in from the right flank. The ball bounced around inside the box, was momentarily cleared before it was sent back inside the area. Christian Gimenez wound up with the ball, fired a shot but it was blocked by a pair Atlas defenders. The ball came back to Gimenez, who laid the ball off to Brown. The defender ripped a shot on goal that deflected off Damian Barbosa and into the back of the net.

Second Half

Gimenez played what was easily his best game of the season. Six minutes into the second half, Gimenez and Villa combined on a goal for the first time this season. Gimenez carried the ball towards the box and fed Villa on the left side. Villa pushed his ball across towards the right post and caught Barbosa off balance. The ball rolled past Barbosa and into the back of the net.


Andres Chitiva tried to get Atlas back into the game. Chitiva knifed through the heart of Cruz Azul's defense and got past the backline. From about 15 yards out, Chitiva sent the ball past Yosgart Gutierrez and cut Cruz Azul's lead to two.

But Atlas had little left in the tank. With about 10 minutes left, Atlas' Dario Botinelli was handed his second yellow card and was sent off, leaving Atlas with 10 men.

Goal.com

Visit Goal.com's Mexico page for more coverage of the Mexican Primera Division.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai

    Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.

  2. ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams

    Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.

  3. ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite

    Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.

  4. LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth

    With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.

  5. McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date

    The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.