América Get Some Much Needed Confidence.

By: Mauro | May 16th, 2008

Another fantastic performance by Salvador Cabañas in front of a packed house at the Azteca Stadium.

Carrying much on their shoulders, América came into this match off a big win that seemed to give them life in the Libertadores again. Not long ago, this was a team that finished dead last in their local league, lost their round of 16 opener to Flamengo 4-2 looking to the return leg match in Rio de Janeiro, and they lost their coach, and the new interim coach was quoted as saying that it would be a miracle for América to qualify for the quarters.

Well that miracle lives on because last night they really took Santos to task. With an inspired performance from goal keeper Guillermo Ochoa and cold calculating finishing from Cabañas, América heads back to Brazil with a little weight off their shoulders.

Santos began the first half well, with an early chance on goal that was saved by Ochoa. But América was able to move the ball around and were winning the ball in the midfield due to the smart strategy of making sure the left and right backs stayed in their positions instead of joining the attack, which is what they usually happens and, I think, is why América would get scored on as much as they scored.

The first goal came in the 24th minute. A corner kick by Alejandro Aguello made it’s way all the way across the penalty area and while two Santos defenders joined to cover the taller Sebastían Dominguez near the far post, the ball lofted over all three of them and landed right on Cabañas’ chest who was able to slam it under Santos keeper Fabio Costa for the emphatic 1-0 to América.

América had one more chance to score but Oscar Rojas’ chance went wide.

Santos came out of the gates in the second half and was decidedly the better squad on the pitch. They kept possession and dominated play overall but never put one in the net thanks to the good hands of Ochoa.

And it was then, in the midst of Santos’ domination that German Villa was able to place a perfectly weighted ball into space for a streaking Cabañas who outran the entire Santos defense. Cabañas brought it down with his chest and put it past Fabio Costa with a great right footed shot.

Ochoa was tasked with putting the match away for his boys and he did just that. Santos subbed on Mariano Tripodi who once scored a wonder-goal for them off the bench but no wonder-goal last night. At least not on Ochoa’s watch. Santos sought out the away goal that would allow them to travel home with something in their pocket but it never materialized.

Santos’ weakness was the poorly defended crosses and aerial passes. América seemed to be able to get the ball where they wanted if the ball was off the pitch. In the air is where the Mexicans had the most success. That’s why it’s no surprise that both goals came off of a weighted pass or a high cross.

With this goal, Cabañas’ tally is now eight, bringing him equal with Marcelo Martins Moreno (of Cruzeiro-eliminated) and one goal ahead of Bruno Marioni (Atlas) who has seven goals.

This score-line allows América to travel to Brazil with a nice lead and no away goals. A great situation for them. A scoreless draw could send them through to the semis, and any goals would be fantastic. Santos have to win 3-0 to qualify, a 2-0 win only gets them penalty kicks.

Check the CONMEBOL website for results, stats and upcoming matches.