Santos’ 3-0 victory over Atlante puts them in first place on goal difference with Monterrey, which won 4-2 over Tijuana, in second. Defending champion Pumas held off Morelia 1-0, and Guadalajara Chivas beat Jaguares 2-1 at home.
In other weekend matches, America drew 1-1 with Toluca, Puebla drew 2-2 against Pachuca, Queretaro held Tigres to a scoreless draw, Cruz Azul beat Atlas 2-1 and San Luis scored from an injury-time penalty beat Estudiantes Tecos 2-1.
Santos won easily at home against Atlante on Saturday thanks to goals from Ecuadorian striker Christian Suarez, Colombia’s Darwin Quintero and Mexican veteran Carlos Ochoa. The team has scored seven goals in its opening two matches.
Monterrey, one of the favorites for the championship, was down 2-0 after 30 minutes against Tijuana after goals by Colombian Dayro Moreno and American Joe Corona. The defending CONCACAF Champions League winners pulled one back just before halftime and equalized on the other side of the break.
Monterrey controlled the second half and came out 4-2 winners. First-time first-division team Tijuana remains pointless after its first two games.
Pumas held onto a 17th-minute headed goal by 24-year-old Luis Fuentes against Morelia. Morelia piled on the pressure in front of its own fans but the performance of Pumas keeper Alejandro Palacios and a succession of near-misses denied it an equalizer.
Chivas fell behind to Jaguares early in the second half when Jackson Martinez nodded in after a long-range, chipped shot from Franco Arizala rebounded off the crossbar and into his path. Chivas regrouped and goals from Omar Arellano and Marco Fabian were enough to secure a 2-1 victory.
Chivas’ big rivals America could only manage a draw with Toluca, which took a 1st minute lead following a defensive mix-up in the America penalty area. America equalized after a storming run from Christian Benitez set up Matias Vuoso for a simple finish — but America could not find a winner.
Puebla, which signed World Cup veterans Luis Garcia and DaMarcus Beasley in the off season, failed to hold onto a 2-0 halftime lead in its home opener against Pachuca, despite dominating for large periods of the game.
New signings Duvier Riascos, top scorer last season in the Chinese Super League, and former Atletico Madrid forward Luis Garcia got Puebla’s goals before Enrique Esqueda and Jaime Ayovi scored for Pachuca in the second half.
