MIAMI, Florida – Liga MX was back in action over the weekend after the conclusion of the international break and Club America showed that they look ready for their pivotal 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League semifinal second leg against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Las Aguilas took on Mazatlan at home and emerged with an impressive 2-0 victory, stretching their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games.

Club America started strong and grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 29’ when Nicolas Benedetti sent in a cross from the right wing and Alvaro Fidalgo was there to redirect the ball into net for a 1-0 lead.

The home side were also sharp in the back in limiting the Mazatlan attack, allowing manager Santiago Solari to commit more numbers forward in search of a second goal.

Soon enough, Club America tacked on their second score of the night when the Mazatlan defense failed to clear a corner kick and Fernando Madrigal took advantage by hammering in a shot from distance to complete the 2-0 scoreline.

The other two SCCL semifinalists from Liga MX, Cruz Azul and Monterrey, were also in action over the weekend but both left empty-handed from their league fixtures.

Monterrey traveled to Guadalajara to take on Atlas and left with a 2-1 defeat. Duvan Vergara had Rayados feeling good in the 14’ with a curling right-footed shot from outside the area to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

The Monterrey defense held Atlas in check until the final half-hour when Julian Quinones pulled the home side level 1-1 in the 61’ by pouncing on a loose ball in front of goal. Julio Furch then delivered the decisive score in the 80’ with a well-placed header for the 2-1 winner.

Similar to Monterrey, Cruz Azul also suffered a 2-1 defeat after holding an early 1-0 lead in their visit to FC Juarez.

Some hustle from Lucas Passerini allowed Cruz Azul to strike first in the 4’, as the Argentine anticipated a pass back from Guillermo Fernandez and beat three Juarez defenders to the ball before firing in a right-footed shot.

But Juarez, guided by 2020 SCCL-winning Head Coach Ricardo Ferretti, struck back with two goals in the first half through Pol Garcia in the 19’ and Victor Velazquez in the 35’ for a 2-1 Juarez win.

The lone SCCL semifinalist from MLS, the Philadelphia Union, had the weekend off from domestic play.