Martin Bravo (pictured) celebrates after scoring against visiting Pachuca in a Liga MX Clausura game in Torreon, Mexico, on March 11, 2016. (Photo: Mexsport)
TORREON, Mexico – Martin Bravo packed an accomplished Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League resume in his bag, when he joined Santos late last year on loan from Dorados.
The 29-year-old Argentine had seven career goals in the competition, all scored with Pumas from 2008-12.
His SCCL experience and success paid off earlier in the month as the Guerreros defeated the LA Galaxy 4-0 in the second leg of their quarterfinal to take the series by the same score. Bravo struck for the first and last goals, sending the side to its fourth semifinal and a showdown with defending-champion Club America, which kicks off Wednesday in Torreon.
Santos is also rounding into form in 2016 Liga MX Clausura play. On Saturday, its unbeaten streak was extended to four games after a 3-2 win over visiting Pachuca. Bravo netted the 20th minute opener to take his domestic total to three goals in nine outings.
“It was necessary to win,” said Bravo. “I believe that the team had a mission. We knew that we had to win at home, making ourselves strong again. We ended up suffering at the end a little, but the takeaway is what the team did during the whole match and that another three points were added.”
Bravo hopes to continue his hot streak against Club America, a side that sits one place above fifth-place Santos in the Clausura standings.
“The truth is that I feel good,” Bravo finished. “I’m feeling very confident, which is coming from the team. My teammates leave it all out there. They give everything. Whomever plays gives it their maximum. Thank God it is helping me. I try to respond in the best way.”
A Bravo-led team has never lost a SCCL game in which he has scored, going 5W-1D-0L.
