Action from the Liga MX Clausura match between Club America and visiting Toluca (red jersey) on April 23, 2015, in Mexico City. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – Despite a 1-0 setback to visiting Toluca in the 2016 Liga MX Clausura on Saturday, second-place Club America secured a playoff berth – thanks to losses by Cruz Azul and Tigres -- with two games remaining in the regular season.
Erbin Trejo scored the only goal before a crowd of 30,335 at the Estadio Azteca, keeping the 11th-place Diablos within two points of the eighth and last postseason spot.
Club America, which takes a 2-0 advantage Wednesday into the home leg of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League final against Tigres, was shutout for the second straight time in domestic play.
Michael Arroyo nearly gave the host a ninth minute lead with a right-footed blast from 36-yards out that Toluca goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera did well to palm over the crossbar.
With four minutes left in the first half, Trejo struck for the game-winner. The 25-year-old midfielder – in just his second appearance of the Clausura -- gained possession of a loose ball just outside the box on the left and fired a left-footed shot off the bottom of the right post.
Oribe Peralta had an opportunity to level in the 88th minute, but his right-footed attempt from 10 yards sailed over the crossbar.
