Late Pachuca Goal Denies Atlas Third Win as Copa MX Kicks Off
Atlas and Pachuca played to a 1-1 tie in their first match in the Copa MX. Atlas was unable to make it a perfect three for three to start the season, after winning their last two Liga MX games by the minimal difference 1-0. Palermo’s men were looking to build on their 3-3 goal-fest at Veracruz and looking for their first win after losing their first game to Leon.
La Academia approached the game with a lot of changes from the roster they had used for their previous two wins, even debuting two players from their cantera. Pachuca also made several changes to their previous line up for this match, but both teams were still able to play a competitive game.
Pachuca was close to opening the score early in the game when in the 12th minute, youngster Roberto de la Rosa broke free and took a powerful shot that hit the crossbar.
Los Zorros, however, struck first late in the 1st half. Ricardo Alvarez lined up a freekick from about a foot outside the right side of the box. Alvarez then proceeded to put the ball over the wall and close to the right post past a helpless Alfonso Blanco.
Los Tuzos were able to tie the game late in the when second-half sub-Jonathan Copete scored his 2nd goal in as many games. Raul Lopez cut between two Atlas defenders and crossed a ball, Copete was able to elevate and head the ball to the right of the goal, past a diving Edgar Hernandez.
The game leaves both with positive building blocks toward their upcoming games. La Academia will host red-hot Santos on Friday night at the Estadio Jalisco, while Los Tuzos will look to get their 1st win of the season when they host Monarcas Morelia at the Estadio Hidalgo.
