MEXICO CITY - Host Cruz Azul and Santos played to a 1-1 draw in a preseason friendly on Saturday at the Estadio Azul.

Both sides are preparing for the upcoming Liga MX 2013 Clausura, while Santos also has an eye on its CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series in March against the Houston Dynamo.

The visitors went ahead in the 23rd minute through a header from U.S. international Herculez Gomez, who left Cruz Azul goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona with no chance off a pass from Rodrigo Salinas.

La Maquina equalized 13 minutes after the break, when Mariano Pavone headed a Rogelio Chavez cross past Guerrero goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.

Santos opens its Liga MX campaign away to San Luis on January 5, a day after Cruz Azul visits Morelia.