Henry Martin (right) celebrates with teammate Renato Ibarra after scoring in Club America’s Liga MX Clausura win at Queretaro on January 7, 2018. (Photo: Mexsport)
CONCACAF.com takes a look at the best performances and most interesting stories in CONCACAF Weekend’s Best.
MARTIN DEBUTS IN STYLE FOR CLUB AMERICA
Henry Martin could not have asked for a better debut with Club America by scoring the lone goal (44’) in the Aguilas’ 1-0 victory over host Queretaro on Sunday in week one of 2018 Liga MX Clausura play.
The 25-year-old forward collected a pass from Carlos Darwin Quintero outside the Queretaro penalty area, took one touch and hammered in a right-footed volley for his fifth career Liga MX goal.
Of Liga MX’s four Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League participants, Club America was the lone winner. Guadalajara played to a 1-1 draw at Toluca on Sunday, Club Tijuana drew 0-0 at Cruz Azul on Saturday and reigning Liga MX champion Tigres fell 2-1 at Puebla on Friday.
SAPRISSA, HEREDIANO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN COSTA RICAN CLAUSURA
Costa Rican SCCL sides Saprissa and Herediano hit the ground running with victories to open the 2018 Clausura.
2017 Apertura runner-up Herediano slipped past host UCR 1-0 thanks to Jimmy Marin’s 31st-minute header off a Jose Sanchez assist.
After a 2017 Apertura campaign that saw it finish as runner-up in the regular season and Quadrangular tables, Saprissa sent a message of intent with a 3-0 win at Municipal Liberia. Honduran Jerry Bengtson (45’ pen), Brazilian defender Henrique Moura (60’) and Costa Rica international forward Daniel Colindres (69’)
USA’S MOORE MAKES HISTORY AGAINST BARCELONA
Shaquell Moore became the second-ever player from the United States national team programs to start a Spanish La Liga match at the Camp Nou (GK Kasey Keller, 2001, Rayo Vallecano) as Levante side fell 3-0 to Barcelona on Sunday. The 21-year-old, who appeared in two matches at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, played all 90 minutes at right back.
TAVARES HAT-TRICK HELPS SANTOS TO WIN
On Sunday, forward Djaniny Tavares struck for the first hat-trick of the 2018 Liga MX Apertura season, leading host Santos to a 4-2 win over Lobos BUAP. The 27-year Cape Verde international (9’, 27’, 44’) netted each of his goals before halftime.
RUIZ GETS ON SPORTING LISBON SCORESHEET
Costa Rica international Bryan Ruiz (50’) notched his first goal of the 2017/18 Portuguese season as host Sporting Lisbon earned a 5-0 win over Maritimo.
PORTMORE UNITED WINS BIG IN JAMAICA
Portmore United (13W-5D-2L, 44 points) extended its lead atop Jamaica’s Red Stripe Premier League table to seven points with a 5-1 win over second-place Arnett Gardens (9-10-1, 37) on Sunday. Saneekie Burton (2’, 52’) led the way with two goals, one in each half. Arnett Gardens saw its unbeaten streak to start the season end at 19 games.
