The semifinals get underway in Mexico with two Thanksgiving crackers that will set the wheels in motion for two potential finalists.
Thanksgiving isn't celebrated in Mexico, but soccer fans are sure thankful that they will have two huge matches to watch Thursday night as América square off against Santos Laguna and Pumas face Monterrey.
Mexico City's attention will be divided, as both home teams will be hosting games mere miles and hours from each other. Santos Laguna will try to back its smack talk with goals, while Pumas is trying its hardest not to awaken from a fantastic dream that have the eighth seeded team in the semifinals after a mediocre regular season would not have foreseen it.
The best is yet to come, and it's on Live Soccer TV!
Santos Laguna have been trying to get inside the heads of América players and staff by attempting to instigate a war of words with the Mexico City-based club.
The main point of argument has been whether Thursday night's home team is still, in fact, a big club. Winning just two championships in the past 10 years, América has seen its greatness blemished by bad performances in the past few years.
In fact, this is the first semifinal series the team has reached since 2007. And yet, the quality of players the team possesses and the advantage of having a five-time champion like Manuel Lapuente leading the team has them sitting as prospective favorites.
On the other hand, Santos Laguna reached last season's final, only to be negated by the cruelty of penalty kicks, ironically with Matias Vuoso (now playing for América) missing the crucial shot. A solid regular season had them finishing third, one spot ahead of América, and thus will be at home for the decisive second match.
América beat Santos Laguna 3-2 in their regular season showdown, in what was one of the most spectacular matches of the entire Mexican Apertura.
The deciding factor for the match will most likely be which striker manages to poke through the opposition's solid defense. Will it be Christian Benitez, the tournament's golden boot? Or will it be Vuoso and Daniel Marquez, who have paired up solidly in attack for the yellow-clad team?
Pumas will look to continue their Cinderella season by putting a dent in Monterrey's title hopes this Thursday at the Estadio Universitario.
Monterrey has struggled of late, looking vulnerable in their last match, a 3-3 draw that saw them go through by way of a tiebreaker. Despite recent shakiness, Monterrey still boast a front line with one of the league's best players, Chilean striker Humberto Suazo.
The solid defensive line is headed by goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco and defenders Jose Maria Basanta and Duilio Davino, both battle tested veterans.
Pumas will rely on its quick strikers, Dante Lopez and Martin Bravo, to try and surprise Monterrey, much like they did to Cruz Azul in their last match, scoring within the game's first 150 seconds.
If the season's prior matchup is any indication, Pumas' defense better buckle down, as they let five goals go through in their regular season pairing back in Matchday 4.
Guillermo Vasquez's team will also have a huge home field advantage and one of the country's loudest fan bases cheering them on towards what would be a miracle championship run.
Mexico City's attention will be divided, as both home teams will be hosting games mere miles and hours from each other. Santos Laguna will try to back its smack talk with goals, while Pumas is trying its hardest not to awaken from a fantastic dream that have the eighth seeded team in the semifinals after a mediocre regular season would not have foreseen it.
The best is yet to come, and it's on Live Soccer TV!
Santos Laguna have been trying to get inside the heads of América players and staff by attempting to instigate a war of words with the Mexico City-based club.
The main point of argument has been whether Thursday night's home team is still, in fact, a big club. Winning just two championships in the past 10 years, América has seen its greatness blemished by bad performances in the past few years.
In fact, this is the first semifinal series the team has reached since 2007. And yet, the quality of players the team possesses and the advantage of having a five-time champion like Manuel Lapuente leading the team has them sitting as prospective favorites.
On the other hand, Santos Laguna reached last season's final, only to be negated by the cruelty of penalty kicks, ironically with Matias Vuoso (now playing for América) missing the crucial shot. A solid regular season had them finishing third, one spot ahead of América, and thus will be at home for the decisive second match.
América beat Santos Laguna 3-2 in their regular season showdown, in what was one of the most spectacular matches of the entire Mexican Apertura.
The deciding factor for the match will most likely be which striker manages to poke through the opposition's solid defense. Will it be Christian Benitez, the tournament's golden boot? Or will it be Vuoso and Daniel Marquez, who have paired up solidly in attack for the yellow-clad team?
Pumas will look to continue their Cinderella season by putting a dent in Monterrey's title hopes this Thursday at the Estadio Universitario.
Monterrey has struggled of late, looking vulnerable in their last match, a 3-3 draw that saw them go through by way of a tiebreaker. Despite recent shakiness, Monterrey still boast a front line with one of the league's best players, Chilean striker Humberto Suazo.
The solid defensive line is headed by goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco and defenders Jose Maria Basanta and Duilio Davino, both battle tested veterans.
Pumas will rely on its quick strikers, Dante Lopez and Martin Bravo, to try and surprise Monterrey, much like they did to Cruz Azul in their last match, scoring within the game's first 150 seconds.
If the season's prior matchup is any indication, Pumas' defense better buckle down, as they let five goals go through in their regular season pairing back in Matchday 4.
Guillermo Vasquez's team will also have a huge home field advantage and one of the country's loudest fan bases cheering them on towards what would be a miracle championship run.
