Just Saying

 
Tuxtla Gutierrez was home to a match of great consequence between the Jaguares of Chiapas and the Monarcas of Morelia yesterday. Chiapas needed a win to give themselves a better chance to secure one of the final playoff spots. A win for Morelia meant less. They had already secured their spot in the postseason. Morelia seemed fully aware of this situation.

Both teams in this match are owned by the TV Azteca group. A Morelia loss wouldn't exactly be a terrible thing for the ownership. This match presented a bit of a conflict of interest. Yet, this situation was known to everyone before the players took the field. When people expect a fishy smell, they open a window. It’s hard to pull something foul when everyone is looking for it.

Morelia were completely outclassed in this match. Chiapas thoroughly dominated every facet of this encounter. The Jaguares were able push possession into dangerous attacks without leaving themselves exposed. Their defenders likely never broke a sweat, and it was pretty hot in Chiapas today. Edgar Hernandez, Chiapas’s goalkeeper, was able to run through his mental to-do list, make reservations for his post game meal, and knit a new sweater.

Morelia didn’t get to loose balls. They made poor passes and few runs to get on the end of any of the good ones. Through the full ninety minutes and additional stoppage time Morelia managed a whopping three shots with only one of those being on goal. Prior to this match, Chiapas’s opponents have averaged 9.6 shots per game. Morelia has averaged 10.4 shots per match this season.

Chiapas got the only goal in the 70th minute. This one goal was good enough against a team that has scored twenty-five on the season. This one goal puts this team on the brink of a playoff berth.

I present the results and the circumstances of this game with no further commentary. I’m just saying …
 
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