The Apertura 2013 Copa MX is nearing its end, there are only four teams remaining, and all are hoping to win the Cup and the coveted prize it awards: half a ticket to the Copa Libertadores. After the group stage and an entertaining quarterfinal round, there are three Liga MX sides left: Monterrey, Morelia and Atlas; the lone Ascenso MX side is Alebrijes from Oaxaca.
The Copa MX semifinals are played as a single knockout match, winner-take-all. In case of a tie in regulation time, the match will be decided via penalty kicks.
Monterrey will host Morelia at the Estadio Tecnologico on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 7:00 PM Pacific. This match promises to be quite entertaining, as it features Morelia, one of the best sides of the Liga MX, and a Monterrey squad that wants to save the season by doing well in the Copa MX. Monterrey arrived to the semifinals after defeating cross-town rival Tigres in the quarterfinals. Morelia defeated Leon 2-0 to make it to this stage.
In the other semifinal match, Alebrijes de Oaxaca will host Atlas at the Estadio Benito Juarez on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 6:00 PM Pacific. Oaxaca is the surprise team of the cup, this team is paying its first season in the Ascenso MX (and thus the Copa MX), and is doing extremely well in both tournaments. Oaxaca defeated Ascenso MX rival, Merida, 2-1 to make it to this stage; Atlas also defeated Pumas 2-1. Atlas’ only hope of salvaging something from this disastrous season is the Copa MX. It will be up to new head coach Mata to guide Atlas to salvation, as Omar Asad was fired after the Liga MX loss against Cruz Azul.
Now that the FMF decided to award the winner of the Copa MX half a ticket to the Copa Libertadores (Apertura 2013 and Clausura 2014 Copa MX winners will face each other in a playoff, the winner will attend the Copa Libertadores), it appears Liga MX teams are giving this tournament more importance. This has provided plenty of exciting matches featuring several key players. We can expect to see all key players for the Semifinal matches.
