Monterrey’s big day against Chelsea

It may not be on at prime time for anyone in North America or Europe, but Thursday could be another one of those milestone days for Mexican soccer that seem to be coming round with increasing frequency.


The feeling in Mexico, and certainly among its CONCACAF neighbors, is that soccer in the North American country is on the brink of a boom and Monterrey’s game against Chelsea in the early hours of Thursday morning (4:30 a.m. Mexico time) in the semifinal of the Club World Cup is another chance to prove it.

Chelsea can expect a well-oiled Rayados with experience at its heart and a few highly talented younger players sprinkled in. Monterrey is also a team that has benefitted from being involved from last year’s tournament and has focused its energy on doing well in Japan over the last couple of months.

A blow has been the loss of striker Humberto Suazo to injury, but the diminutive Chilean has not found form this season, mainly due to injury problems.


Players to watch out for

For those not acquainted with the Monterrey side, the player to keep an eye for future reference on is center back Hiram Mier.

The captain of Mexico’s Olympic team is 23 years old and is ready to cross the channel and play in one of Europe’s top leagues. His duel against Fernando Torres is one to watch and another test for the youngster who is mounting a legitimate challenge to Francisco ‘Maza’ Rodriguez’s starting spot in the Mexican national team.

Aside from Mier, left back Darvin Chavez was also a member of that Olympic team which defeated Brazil 2-1 in Wembley last August and is pushing for honors with El Tri.

Jonathan Orozco in goal is another that could quite easily play in Europe and is on the fringe of the national team. He isn’t the biggest or most physically imposing ‘keeper, but he is very quick, sure and distributes the ball perhaps better than any other Mexican goalkeeper at present.

But while those younger players viewing the game against Chelsea as somewhat of a shop window to parade themselves to top European clubs, ‘Chelito’ Delgado already has European experience and will be the key if the Rayados do want to win the game.

Delgado will have to use all his nous to craft a goal at some stage for Monterrey, whether he plays behind striker Aldo de Nigris or as a right winger. His experience with Olympique Lyon in the Champions League is vital for Monterrey.

Continue reading about Monterrey's big day against Chelsea at Soccer365.com!

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Apertura Week 17: Monterrey 3, Atlante 2

Monterrey roared to a three-goal lead, then held off a late rally to edge Atlante 3-2 Saturday at Estadio Tecnologico.

Cesar Delgado staked the Rayados to a 2-0 lead with goals in the 26th and 62nd minutes. Jesus Eduardo Zavala added what turned out to be the game-winner in the 74th.

Sonny Guadarrama started Atlante’s comeback in the 70th minute, and Giancarlo Maldonado made it a one-goal game seven minutes later. The visitors were unable to equalize even after Monterrey’s Neri Cardozo was sent off in the 81st minute.

Neither team qualified for the Liguilla. Monterrey (7-3-7) finished in 11th place with 24 points, Atlante in the 14 spot at 5-4-8 (19).

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Pachuca Throttles Monterrey 4-0 With Enrique Esqueda Scoring Twice

After Pumas, Atlante and Morelia, Monterrey became the fourth defense of the weekend to ship four goals, with the damage done in its trip to Pachuca. Enrique Esqueda led the way with a pair of goals, while Rogelio Chavez and Mauro Cejas were also on target.

Esqueda kicked off a vibrant attacking display in the 14th minute, as a bad miscue by Sergio Perez allowed Cejas to hit a clever cross to the ex-America man, who finished well. Pachuca continued to have its way with Monterrey and was rewarded for its efforts when Chavez curled in a free kick in the 33rd minute that no one got a touch on, allowing it to squeeze in at the far post.

Pachuca came out of the break and quickly showed that the first half was no fluke, with Esqueda hitting a sensational strike (rightly described by the Azteca TV announcers as a 'mega-golazo') from more than 30 meters out that left Jonathan Orozco powerless do to anything about it. Pachuca never looked too troubled in defense and added a fourth on 75 minutes through Cejas, who shed his defender and rifled in a shot to the far post.

The win, quite likely Pachuca's best showing of the season, has all but sewn up a playoff spot, while Monterrey – currently in 10th place – must defeat Atlante at home on the last day of the regular season and hope for other results go its way.

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Tigres UANL Draw Even with Monterrey 0-0; Tigres Hold Position in Apertura

Both teams failed find the back of the net in the Clasico Regiomontano as neither of the fierce city rivals could break the deadlock. The result sees Tigres hold on to its spot near the top, but Monterrey now has work to do, with the preseason favorites sitting two points out of a playoff berth with three games to play.

Despite the scoreline, the game was well-fought and had a few opportunities for each team. Tigres had the upper hand for much of the game, but the home side was unable to break down Monterrey despite plenty of set pieces. Monterrey for its part caused plenty of trouble on the break, but like its rivals, could not find the finishing touch.

The biggest talking point in the game game was in the 68th minute when referee Paul Delgadillo turned away a strong penalty claim from Monterrey after an apparent foul by Hugo Ayala on Sergio Santana. The result was the second consecutive 0-0 draw between the two sides, meaning there have now been 224 minutes played between the two rivals without a goal.

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America ends winless streak by defeating Monterrey

America snapped its winless run in spectacular fashion, putting three goals past a woefully inconsistent Monterrey side. Despite the win, America remains in the bottom three with plenty of work to do, while Monterrey clings to the last playoff berth with four games to go.

The home side looked dogged from the outset, failing to put together a cohesive passing move and turning the ball over too often to create an effective attack. Indeed, it was a turnover that resulted in America's opener just prior to the break, with Jose Martinez expertly finishing off a service from Raul Jimenez on a swift counter.

America continued to pile on the pressure after the break, and although Monterrey held on past the hour mark, the visitors were amply rewarded for their persistence. Oscar Rojas came charging down the left to collect a ball forward and cut inside before firing a fine goal past Jonathan Orozco in the 69th minute. Seven minutes later, America killed off the game when Daniel Montenegro control a corner and fed it to Aquivaldo Mosquera, who slammed the ball home to cap off a fine night for Las Aguilas.

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Goal of the Week: Monterrey's Jesus Corona Volley Secures Win

Jesus Corona's goal for Monterrey at Tecos would eventually stand up as the winner, and it was certainly worthy of that distinction. The 18-year-old midfielder flicked a low cross up to himself before lashing home a volley from near the penalty spot, showing excellent individual technique to win the game for his team.

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Monterrey Survives Wild Match to Take 3-2 Win Over Estudiantes Tecos

A wild game in Guadalajara saw Monterrey emerge with a 3-2 victory against nine-man Estudiantes, snapping a poor run of form in the league and moving the team back into a playoff berth.

As would be the case in games through out the weekend, an early goal set the tone of the game. A clever backheel from Abraham Carreño found Sergio Santana, who in turn played the ball ahead of Neri Cardozo. The Argentine winger made no mistake with his finish, placing it past Jose Martinez for the early lead in the 12th minute.

Despite a good look from Estudiantes' Rubens Sambueza, Monterrey continued to play some vibrant soccer thanks to the home side's sloppiness following the goal. It was duly rewarded ten minutes later, with Carreño, starting in place of the absent Humberto Suazo (international duty), turning from provider to goalscorer.

The forward got up to send a towering header in off the post, though he had to put in again for good measure as Martinez attempted to make a play on the ball that appeared to be rolling across the line.

Monterrey continued to apply pressure, pinning back Tecos, and the home team's frustration showed on 54 minutes when Nelson Pinto was shown his second yellow card for brining down Jesus Zavala. However, Tecos clawed one back in the 67th minute when Elgabry Rangel powered home a shot from the top of the box.

The home side's sloppiness and frustration continued to show, though, and it was reduced to nine men in the 72nd minute when Jorge Zamogilny was shown straight red for a hard tackle on Sergio Perez. Jesus Corona made the advantage count eight minutes later, flicking up a low cross to himself before volleying home. American forward Herculez Gomez grabbed a consolation for Tecos with a header deep into injury time.

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Monterrey Hold on for Win

Tigres Monterrey held off a late challenge by Tecos to claim a 2-0 away win and move up to third in the Mexican Apertura.

The visitors took a two-goal lead through Neri Cardozo and Dario Carreno before the hosts pulled one back Elgabry Rangel with a little over 20 minutes to go.

Jesus Corona restored the two-goal advantage with 10 minutes to go and although Herculez Gomez scored in the last minute, the visitors held on.

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Queretaro Holds on to Edge Monterrey 2-1

Queretaro ran up a two-goal lead within the first hour of the match, and held on to edge Monterrey 2-1 Saturday at Estadio La Corregidora.

Daley Mena staked the Gallos Blancos to a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute. And Carlos Bueno doubled the advantage in the 59th, five minutes before Rayados defender Sergio Perez was ejected, leaving Queretaro with a man advantage. Bueno leads the league with eight goals in the tournament.

Perez was only on the field for nine minutes, and was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a two-minute span.

Queretaro appeared ready to cruise to the win, but let Monterrey back into the match in the 74th minute, when Humberto Suazo was fouled in the box and buried the penalty kick to make it a one-goal game.

The match got chippy in the late going, and both Manuel Lopez (Queretaro) and Hiram Mier (Monterrey) were ejected after an 86th-minute confrontation.

The Gallos (4-2-4) are in a seventh-place logjam with 14 points, a point ahead of Monterrey (4-1-5).

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Improved Defense and Steady Striking Helps Monterrey Defeat Santos Laguna

Fourth-place Monterrey defeated Santos in front of a stadium filled with supporters dressed in white. The gesture was a message of peace in the wake of last Thursday's attack on a casino in the northern city in which 53 people died.

On the field, Monterrey took the lead in the 28th with a strike from Luis Perez and capped off the win with a headed goal by Chilean Humberto Suazo on 67 minutes despite losing defender Jose Basanta to a 41st-minute red card.

Not only did Monterrey put on a solid offensive effort, but the squad showed serious signs of excellence in defense as well. Expect Monterrey to keep improving their game as the Apertura rolls to a close.

Monterrey has 12 points while Santos remains on seven points. Monterrey is set to play streaking Puebla on Thursday September 1.

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Cesar Delgado put Monterrey in front after 24 minutes only for Marco Fabian to even the score four minutes later.

Darvin Chavez was sent off just before the hour mark and Guadalajara took full advantage, winning it through Alberto Medina's 78th-minute effort.

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Although Tijuana could't hold on to win, Colombian striker, Dayro Moreno, used an incredible touch to beat goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco and give the Xolos an early 1-0 lead over Monterrey. Final score: Monterrey 4 - Tijuana 2.

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Monterrey takes down struggling Tijuana Xolos

Monterrey made it two wins out of two as they came from two goals down to beat the floundering Tijuana Xolos 4-2.

Dayro Moreno and Benny Corona put the visitors 2-0 up, but goals either side of half-time from Sergio Santana and Luis Perez pulled Monterrey even with the Xolos, before Walter Ayovi and Cesar Delgado sealed the points.

The Primera division debut of Tijuana was spoiled last week with the team's disappointing loss at home to Morelia. Although Tijuana is new to the league, they have players that should be putting the Xolos in good positions to win. However, Tijuana will need to focus and tighten up their defense as they are set to face the Goats of Guadalajara this coming weekend. Unfortunately I see another loss for the struggling Xolos.

Monterrey lineup: Jonathan Orozco; Hector Morales, William Paredes, Hiram Mier, Sergio Perez; Neri Cardozo, Jesus Zavala, Luis Perez, Cesar Delgado; Sergio Santana, Humberto Suazo.

Tijuana lineup: Cirilo Saucedo; Juan Pablo Santiago, Javier Gandolfi, Alejandro Molina, Richard Ruiz; Fernando Arce, Leandro Augusto, Egidio Arevalo, Joe Corona; Jose Sand, Dayro Moreno.

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Monterrey Vs. Tijuana Xolos, 2011 Apertura: Preview

by DonTical_Futbol at FMF State of Mind in Primera Match Previews

The highly expected debut of the Club Tijuana Xolos was ruined by a loss to Monarcas Morelia on their home soil in Tijuana. The new team now goes into Monterrey this weekend hoping to get a better result than the one they earned in week 1. Xolos are determined to make an impact in the first division; their offseason investments show that Tijuana does not want to be in Mexico’s first division for only a couple of seasons. Though it’s still very early in the season, Xolos have to quickly adapt and start gaining valuable points this Apertura. Monterrey is the next test, and going into “El Technologico” is never an easy task.

In recent years Monterrey has built what many see as the strongest team in the league, and in week 1, they showed how strong of a team they are. Their biggest signing in the off-season was “Chelito” Delgado, a player who was once an idol in Cruz Azul before departing to Europe. Delgado now returns to Mexico for another opportunity, and last Sunday vs. Jaguares showed what he is still capable of. Monterrey has been a team who is always strong in front of their crowd, practically being unbeatable at times.

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Fulham boss Mark Hughes has rejected a bid from Mexican club Monterrey to bring defender Carlos Salcido back to his homeland. Monterrey released a statement yesterday saying: "We inform you that we have received a response from Fulham Football Club of England, declining our offer to sign Carlos Salcido."

Although Salcido is reportedly struggling to settle in London, Hughes wants to keep the 31 year old Mexico international full-back. Yet, despite Hughes' quick response, other clubs will also be inquiring about the possibility of adding Salcido. According to foxsports.com, Monterrey rivals Chivas and Pachuca are also thought to be preparing offers to take Salcido home.

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