Tijuana successfully opens defense of title

After claiming the Mexican Apertura title last season, Tijuana began its Clausura campaign on Sunday with a 2-1 win at Puebla.

First-half goals from Duvier Riascos and Cristian Pellerano handed Tijuana a two-goal advantage in the opening 41 minutes before Puebla pulled a goal back just before halftime through Roberto Juarez.

However, the visitors held on for the win over the second 45 minutes to collect three points and get off to a good start in the new season.

Tigres recorded the biggest win of the weekend as Emanuel Villa scored three times in the second half to lead his side to a 3-0 win over Jaguares, while Pachuca also notched a victory to open the season as second-half goals from Abraham Carreno and Hector Herrera helped the team down Atlante, 2-0.

Rubens Sambueza handed America a last-gasp 2-1 win over Monterrey as he converted a penalty kick deep in stoppage time, and Queretaro also got some late heroics in its 2-2 draw at Leon as Amaury Escoto scored the equalizer in the 90th minute.

San Luis and Santos finished in a 1-1 draw, Cruz Azul got two goals from Javier Penuelas in a 3-3 deadlock with Morelia on Friday, while the other two matches on Sunday also ended in draws.

Omar Bravo helped Atlas to a 1-1 stalemate at UNAM with his goal in the 79th minute, while Guadalajara and Toluca traded goals in the final 10 minutes of their 1-1 draw.

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Tijuana, U.S. players win Mexican Apertura title

Tijuana won its first ever Mexican Apertura first division football title Sunday as Richard Ruiz and Duvier Riascos scored second half goals in a 2-0 win over Toluca.

Tijuana, which was only founded in 2007, claimed the two-legged final 4-1 on aggregate after a 2-1 home win last week.

Toluca was attempting to win its 11th league title to equal Guadalajara Chivas as the country's most successful club.

Ruiz opened the scoring with a tap in from close range in the 70th minute, after a free kick on the edge of the area rebounded off the post and into his path.

Riascos took a pass, rounded goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera and finished into an empty net two minutes later to leave Toluca needing three goals.

"This team deserves it. We've never complained about the traveling or anything,'' Tijuana-born midfielder Fernando Arce said. "We're champions, we're at the top and we'll enjoy it.''

Tijuana often traveled vast distances to play its away matches, including more than 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) to Toluca.

Prior to Tijuana's breakthrough, the game was a scrappy affair with few genuine opportunities, as Toluca showed little of the flair that saw it finish top of the regular season table.

United States international Edgar Castillo came close for Tijuana in the 49th when he rifled a left footed strike toward the top left corner of the net, before Talavera tipped it over.

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