Action the Liga MX match between CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinalists Cruz Azul (blue jersey) and Club Tijuana on on March 15, 2014, in Mexico City. (Photo: Mexsport)

First-place Cruz Azul bounced back from a midweek loss to Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals to defeat Club Tijuana and remain atop Liga MX.  CONCACAF.com recaps the weekend’s domestic action from around North America.

(CCL quarterfinalists in BOLD)

  

LIGA MX

Marco Fabian struck for a second-half brace to pace league-leading Cruz Azul (28 points) over Club Tijuana (14 points) on Saturday at the Estadio Azul. 

Richard Ruiz put the visitors in front just before the break, but Fabian equalized two minutes into the second half with a long distance strike off the post and added the winner on 70 minutes from 20 yards. 

Second-place Toluca (25 points) remains within striking distance of La Maquina after knocking off Queretaro (10 points), 2-0, Friday night.  Pablo Velazquez (65’) and Edy Brambila (70’) scored in a five-minute span in the second half to break the stalemate.

WEEKEND NOTES

  • Martin Bravo struck for a first-half brace as Pumas (18 points) upended Atlante (15 points), 5-0, Sunday. The Argentinean leads the league in scoring with nine goals.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

Defender Aurelien Collin headed Benny Feilhaber’s corner kick past FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz in the 81st minute, but defending champion Sporting Kansas City (1 point) had to settle for a 1-1 tie at Sporting Park on Saturday.  Matt Hedges equalized for FC Dallas (4 points) in the 90th minute.

Honduras international Victor Bernardez scored twice in the final quarter hour, including the equalizer deep into second-half stoppage time, as the San Jose Earthquakes (1 point) rallied to tie Real Salt Lake (4 points) on Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Chris Wondolowski put the Quakes in front on six minutes, but Kyle Beckerman equalized five minutes later.  Joao Plata (32’) and Luke Mulholland (45+4’) followed to give RSL a 3-1 halftime lead. 

Bernardez, however, ensured the Earthquakes extended their home unbeaten streak to 21 straight games in all competitions with his two late strikes.

The Los Angeles Galaxy was idle.

WEEKEND NOTES

  • Former Tottenham Hotspur and England international forward Jermaine Defoe had a first-half brace to lead Toronto FC to a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders.