Playing for 90
Fansided

Long-shot Pumas host dark horse Atlas in ‘other semifinal’

By Thomas Buckley

The Pumas have never lost to Atlas in a playoff match, winning all four postseason meetings against the Zorros. (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images)
The Pumas have never lost to Atlas in a playoff match, winning all four postseason meetings against the Zorros. (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Washington Corozo (right) watches the ball fly into the net to give the Pumas a 1-0 lead in their second-leg match against América. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

From Liga MX cellar to doorstep of the Finals

After a Matchday 12 loss at league-leading América on Oct. 3, the Pumas were 1-5-5 and in 17th place. Even after a win the following week against FC Juárez, UNAM was still second-to-last.

But that modest 1-0 victory sparked a revival and the Pumas are still riding the wave, closing the regular season with a 4-1-1 burst. A 3-goal second-half explosion against Cruz Azul in the season finale produced a 4-3 win and a wildcard spot as the No. 11 seed.

“Los Auriazules” did not slow down in the Liga MX playoffs, dominating No. 6 Toluca in the wildcard match and advancing to a “Clásico Capitalino” in the quarterfinals. No. 1 seeded América was heavily favored to knock out the Pumas, after all their $94 million-dollar payroll dwarfed that of UNAM.

The Aguilas enjoyed a 13-6-4 advantage over their Mexico City rivals in playoff matches entering the first leg match in the CU and they had eliminated the Pumas in eight of their 10 previous knock-out series.

So it was a bit of a surprise that UNAM dominated the game in the CU, but the 0-0 result seemed to favor América who was 7-3-1 against the Pumas (with a 22-10 goal differential) in playoff games at “El Coloso de Santa Úrsula.”

“Los Universitarios” needed a win against América who had gone 7-2-0 at Fortress Azteca, allowing only 2 goals in those nine matches. It wasn’t going to happen. No way. But that’s why they play the games.

The Pumas designed a brilliant game plan and executed it to perfection with Alan Mozo (three assists) and Washington Corozo (two goals) playing the games of their lives. UNAM clipped the mighty Aguilas’ wings and now find themselves in the Liga MX Final Four.

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