MEXICO CITY -- Week 2 of the Liga MX Apertura 2019 season wrapped up with some surprising results. We have a look at some of the main storylines from the weekend's action.
Chivas surprise Tigres
How Chivas needed this. The 2-0 victory on Sunday over Tigres lifted the pressure on coach Tomas Boy and should provide a boost after a preseason that saw the Guadalajara club fail to win a single game.
The 24th minute red card for Carlos Salcedo certainly helped Chivas, but this was an improved display from a squad that had been stretched by participation in the International Champions Cup and the start of the Liga MX Apertura.
Goals from Antonio Briseno and Alan Pulido helped Chivas to the points, although Boy may be punished from his war of words from the touchline with Tigres striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, who went to search for the Chivas coach in the locker room after the game.
Monterrey's start is concerning
Rayados went undefeated for the first 10 games of the Clausura, but this season the Monterrey club will need to come from behind if it is to reach the playoffs and challenge for the title in accordance with preseason expectations.
The 1-0 loss to San Luis on Sunday means Rayados have zero points from the first two games of the season. Monterrey dominated possession against the recently promoted side, but managed only one shot on target over the 90 minutes. Much more more should be expected from a team fielding attacking players with the talent of Maxi Meza, Aviles Hurtado, Dorlan Pabon, Rodolfo Pizarro and Rogelio Funes Mori.
The ongoing saga over whether Pizarro will be staying or going to Europe can't be helping matters.
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Santos Laguna the early surprise
The team of the season at this early stage has been Santos Laguna, who have yet to concede a goal. The side from Torreon swatted aside FC Juarez with ease on Sunday, winning 3-0 against a team that managed only one shot all game.
Coach Guillermo Almada stated afterwards that his team will not look to hold onto leads, but instead search for more goals, all of which makes Los Guerreros a side not to miss this season.
Barca disguised as @ClubTiburones?
— Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) July 27, 2019
Golazo. #ligamxeng
(🎥 via @CITEC_Futbol)pic.twitter.com/bMKmKZVTkH
Veracruz much improved
Veracruz's run without a Liga MX victory is now at 11 months, but if it plays like it did during the 3-3 draw against Pachuca on Friday, the unwanted winless streak won't go on too much longer.
Los Tiburones Rojos showed a whole new level of drive, commitment and tried to play expansive and entertaining football.
Goal of the week
If it wasn't for the dim lights, different colored shirts and slightly disappointing defending, you could be forgiven for thinking Ivan Santillan's opening goal for Veracruz was scored by Pep Guardiola's Barcelona. There were 16 passes involved in the build-up as Veracruz worked the ball out from the back, penetrated down the right wing and eventually set Santillan up for a relatively simple finish.
Player of the week
Brian Lozano -- The Santos winger netted his team's outstanding first goal and was a constant threat against FC Juarez.