Action from the Liga MX Clausura match between visiting Pachuca (white jersey) and Pumas on February 5, 2017, in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo: Dos Ocho/Straffon Images)
Pachuca struck late to earn a point at Pumas, while Saprissa extended its unbeaten streak to four matches after a 2-1 win over rival Alajuelense. CONCACAF.com takes a look at the weekend action involving the 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinalists.
Pumas 1, Pachuca 1
Oscar Murillo scored in the 86th minute to earn Pachuca (2W-2D-1L) a hard-fought 1-1 draw at fellow SCCL quarterfinalist Pumas (3W-1D-1L) on Sunday. Veteran defender Dario Veron gave Pumas a 1-0 lead on the brink of halftime. The host looked like it would earn the three points after Alfredo Zaldivar saved Franco Jara’s penalty kick, but Murillo soared to Pachuca’s rescue with a header off a free kick.
Tigres 0, Toluca 1
One week after holding SCCL quarterfinalist Pachuca to a scoreless draw, another strong defensive performance helped visiting Toluca tame Tigres’ (1W-1D-3L), 1-0, on Saturday. Former Club America star Rubens Sambueza curled in a left-footed free kick in the 72nd minute to give the Diablos Rojos the three points. Recently-signed Chile international Eduardo Vargas made his Tigres debut, coming on for Jesus Dueñas in the 73rd minute.
Saprissa 2, Alajuelense 1
Saprissa (4W-2D-2L) is unbeaten in its last four 2017 Costa Rican Verano matches following a 2-1 win over visiting Alajuelense on Sunday. Daniel Colindres gave the host a 1-0 lead in the third minute with his third goal of the season, only for Kenner Gutierrez to level nine minutes later. In 42nd minute, Colindres was sent off for his second yellow card, but despite playing a man down, Saprissa netted the game-winner as Julio Cascante headed home in the 57th minute.
Plaza Amador 2, Arabe Unido 1
Blas Perez’s Arabe Unido (1W-1D-2L) homecoming ended in disappointment as the Expreso Azul suffered a 2-1 loss at Plaza Amador on Friday. The veteran forward and Panama international -- playing in his first Árabe Unido match since 2002 -- set up Enrico Small’s 15th-minute goal. Moments before halftime, however, Plaza Amador leveled through a Fidel Caesar own-goal. Marvin Avila’s goal in the 66th minute sent Arabe to its second loss in four 2017 Panamanian Clausura matches.
