Apertura: America gets another win, Pumas keeps struggling

While the America Eagles extended their winning streak by overpowering Estudiantes 5-0, the reining champion Pumas continued to struggle on Sunday with a 2-1 loss against Pachuca in the eighth round of the Mexican Apertura championship.

Angel Reyna scored in the 32nd minute, Argentine midfielder Daniel Montenegro in the 43rd and 62nd, Paraguayan striker Salvador Cabanas in the 53rd and Brazilian midfielder Rosinei in the 80th as America reached five wins in their last six matches to remain with the second best record in Mexico.

Toluca has 18 points, while America has 17, followed by Monterrey, also on 17, but with a worse goal average.

Cabanas has seven goals and leads the lead in scoring, with a one goal lead over Argentine striker Emmanuel Villa of Cruz Azul.

Earlier on Sunday, Argentine striker Martin Bravo put the Pumas ahead after gathering a cross from Efrain Juarez in the 21st, but Marco Perez tied it in the 47th and Argentine midfielder Damian Alvarez sealed the win in the 81st for los Tuzos, who notched their second win in a row.

The UNAM Pumas now have seven losses from eight matches, and will remain in the bottom of Group 3.

Pumas is considered one of the big four clubs in Mexico along with America, Cruz Azul and Chivas, who is also struggling after a 4-0 loss to San Luis on Saturday.

Argentine striker Alfredo Moreno scored in the 34th and Michael Orozco in the 36th, Colombian midfielder Tressor Moreno found the net in the 70th and Noe Maya sealed the win in the 78th for the Gladiators, who won their second match of the season.

After the match, Chivas manager Francisco Ramirez resigned from his position and the team is looking for a replacement, who could be named on Monday.

Ramirez, who was a top assistant under Ricardo La Volpe in Germany 2006, and also served with Swedish Sven-Goran Eriksson until last April, won just two out of the 11 matches he managed

In other scores, it was: Morelia 2, Tigres 1; Santos 2, Queretaro 0; Jaguares 0, Puebla 1; Monterrey 3, Atlante 0; Atlas 0, Cruz Azul 1.

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