Copa MX: Round One
The Copa MX tournament is set to begin Tuesday night with a new format. From 2016-2019 the tournament was played twice a year concurrent to with its tournament. This year it will be played once a year with the group stages starting out July 30th with the Final being set to be played on April 15, 2020. The reigning champion of the tournament Club America will not participate because they will be representing the Liga BBVA MX in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Santos Laguna is off to a spectacular start in the Apertura. They have won their first two games in dominant fashion hitting the back of the net three times per match, conceding zero. For their part, Correcaminos have yet to start their respective tournament the Ascenso MX Apertura. Dating back to their Clausura Ascenso, Correcaminos lost their last two games of the season. Santos will hope to carry their momentum forward and start off the Copa MX on the right foot.
Pumas UNAM who currently stands second in the league standings, respectively, has had an outstanding start to the Apertura. They have won both their games scoring two goals per match while conceding zero. Los Felinos will start the Copa MX versus the same team they started the Apertura, Atletico San Luis. Atletico will hope to have a different outcome from their 0-2 loss at the start of the season. They are coming off a 1-0 victory over Monterrey and hope to avenge their first meeting against the Universitario’s.
Los Rayados de Monterrey hasn’t had the best start to their Apertura. They opened up the season versus Las Aguilas and were demolished 4-2. They followed their performance in Round Two with a 0-1 loss to newly ascended team Atletico San Luis. Monterrey is keeping their heads above water in that soon they can count on newly acquired reinforcement Vincent Janssen.
The former Hotspur won’t suit up for them tomorrow in the opening round of the Copa MX, but his presence should uplift the locker room. Los Rayados will face up against former first division team Leones Negros. The last time these two teams faced off was this past summer in a 2-1 victory that favored Los Rayados. It just so happens that is the last time Monterrey has won a match. Leones have not played in the first division since their one-season stint in 14-15, but are hoping to take advantage of Monterrey’s current losing streak and begin this tournament with a win.
