This Saturday, January 14, 2017 (5:00 PM Pacific) Monterrey will host Chivas of Guadalajara in one of the most noteworthy matches during Week 2 of the Liga MX Clausura 2017. Javier ‘La Chofis’ Lopez is a household name around Mexican soccer today, but one year ago not many people had heard of him. That all changed on March 19, 2016 at Estadio BBVA Bancomer in Monterrey, and in a little less than a year, Lopez and Chivas head back to Monterrey for another battle.
The return of La Chofis
It is an early test of strength for both sides as both Chivas and Monterrey picked up wins during Week 1 of the new season and will look to build an early positive streak. Lopez will be motivated to return to the scene where his career really took off. He scored the first goal of the season last weekend against Pumas and now looks to add to his scoring tally in Monterrey’s spectacular new stadium.
MORE: Jorge Vergara says, “I will not give any interviews during the Clausura 2017.”
Back in 2016, Chivas were in the thick of the relegation battle as they had begun the Clausura 2016 season in last place of the percentage table and with eight games into the season Chivas had not been able to win. During the Week 9 match against Queretaro, Chivas managed their first win of the season but a loss to bitter rivals Club America the following week really took the sails out of the Guadalajara side.
Following its Clasico loss and with only one win in ten games, Chivas had to travel north to Monterrey to visit the league leading ‘Rayados’. Monterrey had played five homes at that point and had won all five including a 1-0 win over its biggest rivals and then reigning Liga MX champions Tigres UANL.
Chivas headed into Monterrey as easy prey
But in just five minutes a 21-year old kid scored his first and second ever professional goals to turn a 1-1 draw into a 3-1 win for the visiting Chivas. The Guadalajara side took the momentum from that win and went on to win three more consecutive games, tied against Pachuca, and won the last two games of the season. A total of seven undefeated games, winning six of those seven. The positive streak saved Chivas and pushed them into the playoffs.
The pressure of relegation no longer looms over Chivas as they head into Monterrey this time but the eagerness of once again being a dominant force in Mexican will surely be their motivation.
How to Watch Monterrey vs Chivas of Guadalajara
The Monterrey vs Chivas match will be broadcast this Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 5:00 PM Pacific:
Watch Online: FuboTV
TV Schedule: Univision Deportes
By: Jonny Rico
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