Club Atlas - Mapping the way to success

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October Update

We have four league games facing two top teams and also face Venados in our cup match to end the month.

Atlas 3-3 Puebla
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Three times we took the lead and got pegged back by Puebla each time to leave us with just a point. Sanabria got us in front just before the half hour, Ravel found him wide in the box and from a tight angle Sanabria powered a shot past the keeper. Puebla hit back in the 43rd minute, Cardona firing a low shot past Ustari. Vigon ensured we went into half time ahead with a goal at the end of the half, getting space outside the box and placing his shot near the top corner and beating the keeper. Araujo levelled the game just before the hour mark, clinically firing a penalty into the top corner. Ortiz quickly had us back in front, Reyes firing in a cross that Sanabria headed down at the back post for Ortiz to fire in. Puebla pulled level for the third time through Luna, who found space near post to turn home a corner.

Pachuca 1-2 Atlas
View attachment 56880An Ortiz second half brace saw us claim the three points away to Pachuca in a close game. Lopez opened the scoring after 14 minutes, a half decent strike from range somehow managed to get past Ustari and went in. Ortiz levelled the game after 65 minutes, a quick counter attack ended with Sanabria crossing in for Ortiz to head in at the back post. Ortiz eight minutes later grabbed the winner, rising high to head on target from a corner and when it was saved he fired home the rebound to earn us three points.

Atlas 2-0 Leon
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We are absolutely dominant against Leon who only get two shots to our twenty. Garnica got us ahead after 40 minutes, Reyes cross made it all the way to the back post and Garnica volleyed it in from close range. Fernandez scored early on in the second half, reacting first after Sanabria hit the bar and he slammed in the loose ball to earn us the win.

Atlas 1-1 Tigres
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We each end the game with a point and a man sent off as we draw with Tigres. Sanabria got us in front after 18 minutes, Reyes whipping in a cross and Sanabria headed the ball just inside the far post. Tigres were level six minutes later, in on goal at a tight angle he was able to power his shot past Ustari and in. Tigres were down to ten men after 49 minutes getting his second yellow for a hand ball. Nahuel levelled the numbers up after 67 minutes, taking out Pizarro to get his second yellow card in as many minutes.

Copa MX

Atlas 2-1 Venados
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We really should have won by more but, what matters most is that we are into the next round. Garnica got us in front after 27 minutes, tapping in at the back post from a good Fernandez cross. Ortiz doubled our two lead minutes later, a long ball from Ustari played him in and Ortiz rounded the keeper and fired into an open goal to give Ustari the assist. Venados pulled a goal back after an hour, Da Costa getting in behind us and finishing well past Ustari.

Table
View attachment 56876We are now just in the playoff spots and with not long left we still have to face ninth place Club America in what could be a huge game to see who gets into the playoffs.
​
 
November Update

November means the end of the regular season and start of the playoffs everyone wants to be involved in, we have a straightforward end to the season so I expect us to make it in.

Queretaro 0-3 Atlas
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We start the month with a comfortable win over Queretaro in a game we dominated. Alaffita got us ahead 7 minutes in, we countered quickly and Morrison lay the ball off for Alaffita to power in. Four minutes later we were two goals ahead, Garnica's long ball playing in Paciencia who controlled it and then beat the keeper 1 on 1. Fernandez wrapped up the win with a second half goal, sprinting past his man to get onto the end of a Garnica cross he emphatically fired in.

Atlas 5-1 Veracruz
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We hammer fellow playoff contenders Veracruz as Paciencia grabs a first half hat trick. He got us ahead after 16 minutes, Fernandez played him in with a great pass and he was again lethal when 1 on 1. Vigon doubled our lead 7 minutes later, a corner was headed out to Morrison on the edge of the box and his volley hit the post and Vigon was on hand to volley in the rebound. Veracruz pulled a goal back after 33 minutes, Sagal exposing Alaffita's lack of height to get above him and head in at the back post. Paciencia restored our two goal lead after 41 minutes, Reyes made a great run down the left beat a couple men then set up a tap in that Paciencia scored. A minute later he scored again to get his hat trick, getting in front of his marker to poke in Garnica's cross. Ramos got sent off after 66 minutes for a two footed lunge on Paciencia to compound a bad day for him. Aguirre grabbed the only goal of the second half, Tesillo headed down a Morrison cross and Aguirre smashed the ball in to complete a dominant win.

Copa MX

Atlas 2-0 Chivas
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Paciencia scored both goals as we secured an easy win in the cup over Chivas to continue our dominant form over them. We went ahead after 27 minutes, capitalising on a bad back pass he slipped the ball past the keeper from a tight angle. He secured the win with a second goal after 72 minutes, finding some space in the box he took in a pass from Morrison and fired in past the keeper.
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This was the table heading into our final game against CF America who sit in 9th. All the other teams played before us so we knew a loss would knock us out at the expense of America, a draw would see us finish 5th and a win would see us end in 4th.

CF America 1-4 Atlas
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Paciencia ensured we get into the playoffs with four goals against America to silence the Azteca and keep America out of the playoffs. He got us in front after 9 minutes, hitting a low shot just inside the post from inside the box. He doubled out lead after 22 minutes, heading in Fernandez cross at the near post. America pulled a goal back after 37 minutes, Walter finishing well when in on goal. Paciencia cooled Atlas nerves and grabbed a hat trick with his 70th minute goal, Garnica doing good work on the right wing and whipping in a cross that Paciencia rose to head in at the back post. At the end of the game Paciencia struck again to complete a great day for him, winning the ball of Araujo and then easily firing past the keeper.

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Possibly the biggest impact of the game is that we will be without starting goalie Ustari for the playoffs as he broke his hand. Estrada his back up did okay in and played the majority of the game against America and the academy product will get the nod to start in the playoffs.

Table
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We end up finishing 4th which means we will get home advantage in our first tie of the season. It was a tight season so anyone in the playoffs could win it.

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We will face Veracruz not long after we beat them 5-1 and will get the second leg at home as we finished higher, not a bad tie for us.

Other News
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As a reward for again getting Atlas into the playoffs I get a new three and a half year deal and a small wage rise.

​
 
Playoffs

It's playoffs time!!!

Veracruz 3-2 Atlas
View attachment 56808It was looking bad for us until Vigon grabbed a late goal for us that puts us in a much better position than we looked to be in. Torres got them in front after 8 minutes, Garcia played him in and his good finish left Estrada no chance. Sagal had us two behind in a bad position after just 11 minutes, getting free on a corner to turn it home. Vigon pulled a goal back for us with a goal after 64 minutes, Paciencia brought a cross down and then laid the ball off to Vigon who fired past the keeper from just outside the box to get us an away goal. Veracruz again led by two when Torres grabbed his second goal after 77 minutes, Andrande hit a shot/cross towards the back post and Torres re-directed it past Estrada and in. With it looking to be a 3-1 win for Veracruz Vigon grabbed a crucial second goal at the death, a quick counter from a Veracruz free kick saw Garnica slide a low ball into the box and Vigon swept it home to give us a much better chance in the second leg.

Atlas 2(4-3)0 Veracruz
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We get through into the semi finals with a dominant performance at home. We took a while to break through with Garnica putting us ahead on away goals after 52 minutes, Cittadini put in a great cross that Tesillo knocked down and Garnica fired past the keeper on the half volley. Cittadini scored our second goal to give us some breathing space in the tie after 74 minutes, with an accurate low finish from just inside the box.

Paciencia is out for 2 weeks with a damaged foot in a big blow for us.

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Amazingly at 4 we are the top seeds left in the tournament as 1, 2 and 3 all get knocked out. I'll be honest with a back up keeper I hadn't expected much but, with all the best teams going out I suddenly fancied our odds especially as we would get every second leg at home.

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We get 8th seed Pumas UNAM, led by none other than Milton Caraglio who I sold them.

Pumas UNAM 0-2 Atlas
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No Paciencia no problem, as we record what is admittedly an incredibly lucky 2-0 win in the away leg of the tie. We took the lead just before half time, Fernandez found some space out on the left and drilled in a cross that Garnica headed in thanks in part to some poor goalkeeping. Cittadini scored after 84 minutes to put us in a commanding position ahead of the second leg, he played in Sanabria who was forced wide and so crossed in for a wide open Cittadini to head in.

Atlas 1(3-1)1 Pumas UNAM
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We pretty easily get into the final in a combative game against Pumas. Calderon gave them some hope with a goal after 18 minutes, getting the ball after a nice run and some poor positioning from Estrada gave him an easy finish. Just six minutes later we were level on the day thanks to a Van Rankin own goal, a corner fell to De la Rosa and he fired off a shot that hit the post and then hit Van Rankin and went in. Cufre got sent off with half an hour left to make our passage into the final a bit easier, getting a second yellow for tripping Garnica.

The win was not without cost though as both Cittadini and Vigon went off injured while Nguyen and Morrison picked up knocks.

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Cittadini and Vigon both picked up concussions that will end their season's while Morrison escaped which just a bruised ankle so will only miss the first leg of the final. It does mean I will have none of my three first choice midfielders for the away leg which is a concern.

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Monterrey will be our opponents in the final as we look to claim back to back Apertura titles.​
 
Playoff Final

Two games against Monterrey and if we win them then we will have claimed back to back titles.

Leg 1

Monterrey 1-0 Atlas
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With a very back up midfield it isn't the worst result but, we did fail to get an away goal. Cecilio Dominguez scored the only goal of the game after 28 minutes, played in by Dominguez he finished well. Estrada made some good saves late on to ensure we only had a one goal deficit to overcome.

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Nguyen will be unable to play in the second leg with a ban picked up, it shows how big a player he has become that he will be missed in the final from signing on a free at the start of the season.

Leg 2

Atlas 3(3-1)0 Monterrey
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Two very late goals sees us win a nervy game to take the title in dramatic style. Despite creating a ton of chances in the first half we scored none. That changed seconds after Ortiz came on at half time, Paciencia whipped in a cross from deep and Ortiz was able to lift his header over the stranded keeper and under the bar to level the tie. Both keeper made some saves as the game progressed and Monterrey had a free kick at the death, it was cleared out the box and a shot hit Espericueta and bounced perfectly into the path of Ortiz. He ran to the halfway line and then passed across the pitch to Paciencia in space on the right. He sprinted down the wing and into the box and whipped in a great cross that gave a wide open Sanabria a simple finish to put us ahead late. Estrada then saved 1 on 1 to avoid us going behind on away goal. We then won a late corner, it was played to Morrison on the edge of the box he played the ball into Aguirre who squared the ball to Nahuel who curled in a low shot to score his first Atlas goal and confirm us as title winners.

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We retain our title with right back Alaffita being considered as our key player for the season.

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I'm basically a god who definitely didn't let his assistant handle the half time team talk.

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The win also sees me enter the North American roll of honour at number 19.​
 
Copa MX and January Window

Our playoff run had delayed our cup semi final with Santos Lagnua so we played it three days after our win in the final against Monterrey.

Atlas 0-2 Santos Laguna
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We go out in the cup as we never quite seem to get into the game so soon after the dramatic final. Soldano put them ahead just after half time, with a really nice header from a good Martin cross. Carrizo scored a late goal to ensure Santos Laguna get into the final, a powerful half volley from just outside the box left Estrada no chance.

View attachment 56675
Queretaro are shock winners of the Copa MX with a number of upsets. There cup campaign is opposite to there league form which has been awful.

​January Update

I made a decently big overhaul for a mix of needs and wanting to get some better players in as we started the Clausura season in awful form and showed a bit of an overhaul was needed.

Transfers Out
View attachment 56674
We send out Sanabria as he was on massive wages and not starting so he had to go and we make a decent profit. Olayinka left as he picked up three big injuries in six months here so I felt it was best to sell him, and he backed the decision up by picking up a two month injury soon after getting there. Pena also left for 4 million to Cruz Azul as he wasn't getting a lot of playing time.

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I also turned down bids for a number of players and had to agree to set fees at which I would allow Reyes and Nguyen to leave for but fortunately no bids that were big enough came in so they stayed at the club and were happy.

Incoming Transfers

I made a few big signings as we made a poor start that showed change was needed.

Maxwel Cornet
View attachment 56673A big signing for us as we spent $3.6 million to get Cornet from Lyon to end my long search for a winger. A quality player he should add some real first team quality to the team and he can play on both wings which will help as we could face a number of games in the North American Champions League.

Fernando Monetti
View attachment 56672
Ustari's broken hand seems to have killed his ability to be a first team keeper so I went out and grabbed Monetti from Atletico Nacional for $300k on a three year deal. He likes to play as a Sweeper Keeper on Attack, something I have never used in FM so I'm not sure how it will work out.

Yangel Herrera
View attachment 56671
With three midfielders I wanted to get one more in for depth so took Herrera on loan from Man City. We get him for 18 months and pay half his wages so a pretty good deal for us to get some solid depth.

Miguel Araujo
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We needed a centre back so on deadline day I went out and spent $3.2 million to bring Araujo to Mexico from Braga. A cheap deal for a very good player who will start from day one and can hopefully improve our defence.​
 
January Update

We have an awful start to the season that has me questioning the point of the second season, why not just go for one half season and let the champions enjoy being the best.

Atlas 3-1 Necaxa
View attachment 56631We start of with a win over a poor Necaxa. Paciencia got us ahead after 12 minutes, a great cross from Alafitta giving him a simple tap in at the back post. Morrison doubled our lead 5 minutes later, a corner was headed out the box and fell to him allowing him to smash the ball into the top corner. Necaxa pulled a goal back after 38 minutes, Rodriguez was played in and Ustari was way out of position to give him a simple goal. Garnica wrapped up the win late on, Fernandez beat his man out wide then whipped a cross into the back post for Garnica to tap in at the back post.

Atlas 0-1 Toluca
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Toluca scored with their only goal as we dominate the game and fail to take advantage. Rios scored the only goal after 35 minutes, he took the ball off of Morrison and continued his run getting the ball back and then his poor finish beat Ustari and went in.
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Garnica will miss just under a month with an ankle injury leaving us short of wingers as Cornet still hadn't joined by then.

Pumas UNAM 4-1 Atlas
View attachment 56629This loss spurred on a number of the transfers as a poor Pumas side get a big win for us and score 4 of 5 shots on target. Castillo got Pumas ahead after 7 minutes, a nice 1-2 played him in and again Ustari was unable to do much to stop the shot. Pumas doubled their lead after 15 minutes, Diaz was given the ball on the half volley way outside the box and while his half volley was powerful but should have been saved. Calderon made it 3 just before half time, Avila drilled a low cross across the face of goal and Calderon had a simple finish to kill the game off. Villamarin pulled a goal back just after half time, Fernandez teed a cross up to the back post and Villamarin headed in well. Caraglio scored to wrap up an awful day for us, Castillo headed onto the bar and Caraglio was on hand to poke in the rebound.

Atlas 1-2 Monterrey
View attachment 56628We lose our third game in a row as Monterrey deservedly win. Mendoza put us behind after 14 minutes, heading in at the back post. Mendoza scored just after half time, an own goal to level the game. Cittadini's off target shot took a deflection off of Mendoza and wrong footed the keeper to go in. Monterrey scored minutes later to take the three points, Furch played in Gonzalez and at a tight angle he powered a shot in.

Tijuana 2-1 Atlas
View attachment 56627
We end the month with a fourth loss in a row as we concerningly again are the worst team in the game. Rodriguez had us behind very early, a good run saw him able to poke in a cross at the back post. Perez extended their lead just before half time, getting above Aguirre to powerfully head in a Rodriguez cross. Ortiz pulled a goal back after 69 minutes, escaping his marker and slamming a low first time finish in from near the penalty spot.
Table
View attachment 56624
We are low down the table and have played more games than most other teams which makes our position even worse. Things have to change quickly for us to make the playoffs.

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Our first NACL tie will see us take on Guatemalan champions Motagua in what should be a straightforward tie. Competing in the NACL also means we won't be in the Copa MX for this half of the season.​
 
February Update

We have to try and quickly bounce back from a poor January to keep our playoff hopes alive and hope our new signings settle quickly.

Atlas 1-0 Alebrijes
View attachment 56531We end our losing run as we sneak a win over Alebrijes. Cittadini scored the only goal from the penalty spot after 54 minutes, Paceiencia was taken down trying to get onto a rebound and so Cittadini stepped up and sent his penalty right down the middle to get us the win.

Atlas 2-1 Santos Laguna
View attachment 56530
We make it back to back wins as we hold on to beat Santos Laguna. Cornet put us in front after 27 minutes, Garnica crossed in to the back post and from a very tight angle Cornet was able to get the ball in for his first Atlas goal. Paciencia extended our lead after 66 minutes, Vigon played him in and Paciencia beat the keeper with a low shot that snuck inside the near post. Rubio scored a late consolation for Santos Laguna, Rubio crossed in and Oretega headed the ball back across goal for Rubio to tap the ball in.

Puebla 1-2 Atlas
View attachment 56527
We continue our winning run thanks to a late goal from Ortiz. Cornet got us ahead just after half time, curling a free kick around the wall and in. Anguelo got sent off for a second yellow soon after, for tripping Garnica. Despite the man disadvantage Puebla levelled the game after 68 minutes, Cardona playing in Canelo who smashed a half volley in. Ortiz scored the winner with ten minutes left, Fernandez whipped in a cross and he got up the highest and headed in off of the post.

North American Champions League

Atlas 2-0 Motagua
View attachment 56526
My back ups secure an easy first leg win over the Guatemalan team and don't allow an away goal. De la Rosa sent the keeper the wrong way with a penalty after 18 minutes. Ortiz reduced any nerves of the away leg with a very late goal to double our advantage, Espericueta finding him in the box and then he turned and slammed a shot into the top corner to put us in a commanding position for the second leg.

Atlas 3-0 Chivas
View attachment 56525
We continue our great record against Chivas as we score three second half goals to win comfortably. Chivas had a penalty after 37 minutes but failed to take advantage as dived really well to his left to save what was actually a very good penalty. Paciencia broke the deadlock after 57 minutes, Morrison chipped a pass up to Paciencia and he turned his man to go in on goal and then fired a low shot in past the keeper. Flores was sent off soon after for going through the back of Vigon. Fernandez doubled the lead after 75 minutes, he found some space in the box and the angle was tight but he shot and the keeper was poor in allowing the shot to sneak in past him. Vigon wrapped up the win with a late goal, Monetti hit a free kick long that was misjudged by a defender to put him in on goal and Vigon cooly fired into the top corner.

Table
View attachment 56524
We are back in the playoff spots thanks to our four wins in a row. But, with teams behind us having games in hand we could fall out of the playoffs before we next play.
​
 
March Update

We continue to face challenges in the NACL as we look to also continue our good run of form in the league.​

North American Champions League

Motagua 0(0-6)4 Atlas
View attachment 56285View attachment 56287
We easily won a game where we were dominant to easily get into the next round. Cornet had us ahead on the day after 3 minutes, rising high to head in a Fernandez cross at the back post. He then had a penalty saved a couple minutes later in a rare poor moment for us. He made up for it by scoring again after 23 minutes, turning on the edge of the box and firing a low shot into the bottom corner. Menendez extended our lead on 27 minutes, unmarked in the box he was easily able to volley in a Cornet cross helped by poor goalkeeping. Villamarin grabbed the fourth goal on the half hour, a great flicked finish from just inside the box to score.​

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We will take on NYCFC in the next round of the playoffs as we take on an MLS team in a competition for the first time.​

Leon 1-1 Atlas
View attachment 56284
We continue our unbeaten run thanks to a late Cittadini penalty. Alvarez put us behind after 67 minutes, a great run to get on the end of a cross and poke it in past Monetti. Cornejo was sent off after 82 minutes for a second yellow, for protesting about the penalty Rodriguez conceded. Cittadini stepped up to take the penalty and was able to send his penalty past the keeper who guessed the right way. ​

North American Champions League

Atlas 4-1 NYCFC
View attachment 56282
Our first competitive game against an MLS side an it is a pretty straightforward win, over the league winners as well. Paciencia opened the scoring after 22 minutes, taking down a Reyes cross with one touch and then firing in a low shot with his second. He doubled our lead 13 minutes later, Garnica beat his man out wide then hit in a cross that Paciencia rose up and headed into the top corner. Cornet extended our lead just before half time, Paciencia getting open out wide and firing in a deep cross to Cornet who fired in at the back post. Tajouri pulled a goal back after 59 minutes for NYCFC, Monetti headed away a long ball well outside his box but the ball fell to Tajouri who shot into an open goal. De la Rosa grabbed us one more goal to take to New York City, Reyes whipped in a cross that De la Rosa headed in at the near post to wrap up a dominant win.​

Atlas 1-0 Pachuca
View attachment 56281
We manage to win a tight game against Pachuca. Paciencia grabbed the only goal of the game after 57 minutes, getting ahead of his man to head in a Garnica cross and give us the three points.​

NYCFC 2(3-7)3 Atlas
View attachment 56280
Three goals in the first 8 minutes killed off any chance of NYCFC coming back into the tie. It only took 19 seconds for De la Rosa to get us ahead, Fernadez got in behind the defence and drilled a low ball across the face of goal and gave De la Rosa a tap in. He doubled our lead after 6 minutes, beating a centre back and then firing a low shot in past the keeper. Cornet made it 3-0 after 8 minutes, Fernandez whipped in a free kick that fell to Cornet who fired a low shot into the bottom corner and really ended the game. NYCFC pulled a goal back just after half time, Lopez running onto a poor Suarez back pass and emphatically firing his shot in past the keeper and just inside the post. Hart pulled another goal back after 70 minutes with a nice finish from inside the box.​

Tigres 0-1 Atlas
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Araujo scored the only goal as we sneak an away win over Tigres to keep our good form going. Araujo scored after 33 minutes, powering a header in at the near post from a Morrison corner.​

Table

http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/atta...y-success-screen-shot-2018-04-23-01.59.49.png
View attachment 56289
It is a ludicrously tight table with only six points separating 1st place from 13th. It means that 5 teams of the 13 won't even make it into the playoffs despite being so close to first place near the end of the season.
http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/atta...y-success-screen-shot-2018-04-23-01.39.12.png


View attachment 56288
In the NACL semi final we will be taking on Sporting Kansas City in a semi final that we should be able to win.​
 
April Update

A big month as the playoffs begin and we take in Sporting Kansas City in the NACL semi finals.

Cruz Azul 1-2 Atlas
View attachment 56052
We claim a tight win over Cruz Azul thanks to a Paciencia double. He opened the scoring after 59 minutes, Cornet got in behind the defence and then squared the ball to Paciencia who scored a simple tap in to get us in front. He doubled our lead after 87 minutes, Cornet beat his man out wide and whipped in a cross that Paciencia fired in at the near post. Cruz Azul pulled a late goal back, De Buen found space in the box and fired a powerful shot into the top corner.

Atlas 2-0 Queretaro
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With only a day of after the Cruz Azul game I had to rotate but we still came out with the win. Monetti pulled off a good save to keep out a Ramirez penalty after 30 mins. Garnica got us in front after 49 minutes, Fernandez played a free kick to Ortiz on the edge of the box and he smashed a shot in that Garnica got a tiny touch to get the goal. Garnica grabbed a second to secure us the win, arriving unmarked at the back post to head in a Fernandez cross.

NACL Semi Final Leg 1

Atlas 4-1 Sporting Kansas City
View attachment 56050
A couple of late goals sees us in a great position to get into the NACL Final. Paciencia got us ahead just before half time, Vigon won the ball back and then lifted a ball over the defence that Paciencia ran onto and then fired low past the keeper. Ortiz doubled our lead after 75 minutes, Paciencia squaring the ball to him just inside the box and Ortiz hit a great curling shot into the top corner. Kansas quickly hit back though, Marmentini was 1 on 1 and fired a low shot across Monetti and in. Paciencia extended our lead after 88 minutes, rolling a low finish in past the keeper. Ortiz made it a three goal lead with almost the last kick of the game, Ortiz rose high above the centre back to power in a cross from Paciencia.

Veracruz 0-2 Atlas
View attachment 56049

We get a straightforward win over Veracruz. Paciencia got us ahead early, poking in a Cornet cross from close range. Fernandez wrapped up the win with a late second goal, taking down a Morrison pass well and a low shot at the near post snuck in past the keeper.

NACL Semi Final Leg 2

Sporting Kansas City 2(3-7)3 Atlas
View attachment 56048
We manage to get through into the final without much drama. Fernandez put us in front after 6 minutes, Villamarin whipping in a good cross as Fernandez scored his first headed goal for us. Heron levelled the tie on the day after a quarter of an hour, Asprilla whipped in a nice cross and Heron's header managed to get in past Monetti. Herrera got us back in front just after half time, he took a pass in from Paciencia took a couple touches and then fired a powerful shot in. Cornet extended our lead after 58 minutes, Paciencia flicked on a Fernandez cross at the near post and Cornet had a simple tap in at the near post. Rodriguez learned the harshness of professional football as he came off the bench for his debut and could only watch as Langano absolutely smashed a volley into the goal from just outside the box. Without having faced much difficulty we were into the NACL final.
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We will take on Pachuca in an all Liga MX NACL final. We get the second leg at home which is a nice advantage. We also beat Pachuca in the Liga MX final two seasons ago which is a good omen.

Morelia 3-3 Atlas
View attachment 56047
We have a high scoring draw with Morelia as the league season winds down. We went in front thanks to an early own goal, Garnica's driven cross hit off Polenta and wrong footed the keeper to go in. Sepulveda hit back quickly for Morelia, somehow managing to beat Monetti from a very tight angle. Menendez had us back in front after 54 minutes, a slide tackle put him in on goal and Menendez slotting the chance away cooly. Rodriguez levelled the game again after 64 minutes, firing in the rebound of a Sepulduva shot from close range. Fernandez soon had us back in front though, a good Garnica cross to the back post gave him a simple finish at the back post. Morelia levelled the game up for a third time to get a point, Esqueda took a shot from the edge of the box and it took a massive deflection to totally change direction and go in.

Atlas 0-1 CF America
View attachment 56057A late Quintero goal handed us our first loss since the run of four straight. Quitero continued his run of goals against us two flick ons from a goal kick put him in on goal and Quintero easily dispatched the shot to give America the win.

Table
View attachment 56055We finish in a high under me of third place and within touching distance of the top.

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We will take on Monterry which isn't the best team to play in the first round of the playoffs but, I'm confident.​
 
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NACL Final

We face a tough challenge in Pachuca but will at least have the second leg at home. Also the rules are slightly different in this from the Liga MX final as away goals do count so we will want to score in Pachuca. As it is a big couple games I decided to do it in more detail.
View attachment 55631Leg 1

Kickoff: Paciencia kicks off with a pass to Morrison to get Atlas' first ever continental final underway.

19th Minute: After an even start to the game Atlas get the ball in the middle of the and play a long ball out wide. Bouzat easily wins a header over the 5'2 Alafitta and Jara runs onto the header in the box. He slips past one defender and running parallel to the goal fires a low shot across his body and in. 1-0 Pachuca

21st Minute: Atlas look to hit back quickly from falling behind, Cittadini wins the ball back and plays it to Araujo on the edge of the Atlas box. He launches it long and Paciencia turns his man and tries to get onto the ball in behind the defence. Silva wipes him out before he gets the chance to and as he was the last man he walks. Pachuca will have to play over three quarters of the game with ten men.

29th Minute: Despite being down a man Pachuca push forward on the attack again. Jara runs into the Atlas half with the ball and then plays it wide to Palacios. He gets past the slide tackle of Reyes and hits in a cross to the back post. Bouzat gets onto it from a tight angle and his shot smacks the outside of the post and goes out.

31st Minute: From the resulting goal kick Pachuca win the ball back and get it forward quickly. Guzman picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and played it to Jara on the edge of the box. He turns and slides the ball into Palacios who is in on goal. He recovers from a poor first touch to shoot. Monetti gets a hand to the ball but it lands just inside the far post to double Pachuca's lead. The ten men striking to make it 2-0 and Atlas aren't looking good here even with the extra man.

35th Minute: Atlas push forwards this time, Reyes throws the ball into Morrison. He plays it Alafitta who then picks out Paciencia in the top right corner of the box, he takes a touch and drills a low cross in front of the face of goal. Cornet times his run perfectly to fire in the inviting cross and get us an away goal. Pachuca 2-1 Atlas as they make the man advantage count.

45+2: Pachuca pass the ball around in their half trying to get into half time with a lead, but Guzman gives it away to Alafitta just in their half. He passes to Morrison who drives forward and loses the ball to a slide tackle. It rolls to Fernandez out wide and he sprints into the box past his man and whips in a cross. It gets to Cornet at the back post who takes a touch and then slides the ball past the keeper to level the game just before half time. Pachuca 2-2 Atlas and a big couple goals from Cornet.

Half Time

51st Minute: Atlas midfield three pass the ball between them 35 yards from goal as they use the extra man in midfield to keep the ball. Vigon plays it wide to Fernandez who is forced to give it back to him. He takes a touch and then spots the run of Cornet cutting inside into the box. He chips a pass over the defence and into Cornet. He meets the ball with a powerful low volley into the bottom corner to complete his hat trick. Pachuca 2-3 Atlas as Cornet shows why Atlas spent the money to get him in January.

75th Minute: Atlas push forwards again as they look to try and get in a commanding position with another away goal. Reyes found Paciencia in space wide of the box, Paciencia took a touch and passed to Cittadini who was wide open on the edge of the box. Cittadini fired a daisy cutter that beat the keeper but went just wide of the post.

79th Minute: Nedyalkov picked off a pass for Pachuca to stop an Atlas attack. He played the ball up to Bouzat on the right wing. After a short run he found Jara who ran at the defence and then let off a shot from 35 yards out that went high and wide of the goal as Pachuca were still looking to level the game.

82nd Minute: We have a corner as we attack yet again. Fernandez fires it in and Mosquera heads it back out of the box. Cittadini sitting just outside the box let it bounce and then unleashed a rocket into the top corner leaving the keeper no chance and giving us a commanding lead with his great striker.

Full Time

Pachuca 2-4 Atlas
View attachment 55630The four away goals puts us in a commanding position as Pachuca need at least three goal to win the trophy. The big moment was Silva getting sent off after 21 minutes which was a poor decision by him. Its impact was doubled as it forced Honda who is likely Pachuca's best player to go off after only 21 minutes.​
 
NACL Final Leg 2
View attachment 55575
Still not sure how I feel about the design but, I'm sure it will look a lot better if we can get it into the Atlas trophy room. Our 4-2 lead after the away leg makes us big favourites especially if we don't concede a goal early on.

Kickoff

2nd Minute: Pachuca press forwards looking to get an early goal. Honda gets the ball out wide to Lopez, he's able to get past Reyes and then plays the ball into the box to Palacios. In far to much space he takes a touch and then somehow manages to sneak the ball in at a tight angle beating Monetti at the near post. It makes it Atlas 4-3 Pachuca on aggregate.

Half Time

We started playing much better and dominated the rest of the first half but, couldn't find a goal to extended our lead over Pachuca.

47th Minute: Cittadini wins the ball 35 yards from the Pachuca goal and presses forwards, he gets to the edge of the box and shoots but it is just to high and goes over the bar.

55th Minute: We win the ball after a goal kick with a couple good headers before Morrison brings the ball down. He hit it out wide to a very open Cornet on the wing who cut inside with the ball, he passed to Fernandez just outside the box and he fired a low shot that was placed well enough that the keeper couldn't save it despite the lack of power. Atlas 5-3 Pachuca as Pachuca are back to square 1 now.

64th Minute: Asques fires a long clearance away to the halfway line. Velasquez hit a first touch pass up to Morrison who turned and passed to Paciencia on the edge of the box. He flicked the ball behind him and into the path of Cornet's run. He ran towards goal and then cut the ball back to give Fernandez a simple tap in and he took it to kill the game off and make it 6-3 on aggregate.

76th Minute: Fernandez stands over a corner and whips it into the near post, Vigon headed it down and Araujo was on hand absolutely smashed the ball in on the half volley. At 7-3 it also confirmed that there would be no comeback.

87th Minute: Another corner for us and Fernandez stands over the ball. He whips it in and Cittadini rising high but heads just wide of the post.

Full Time

Atlas 3(7-3)1 Pachuca
View attachment 55560A dominant performance for us as we didn't allow a shot on target after they scored their early goal. Once we took the lead in the second half of the first leg we never looked like losing it as we claim Atlas first continental trophy.

View attachment 55558
Apparently our key win was an easy win for my back ups away to Motagua after we had already easily won the first leg.

View attachment 55557
Us and Tijuana have ensured the trophy stays in Mexico after a Red Bulls win, as Pachuca couldn't make it 2 wins in 4 years.

View attachment 55556
Cornet claims top goalscorer in the tournament and Paciencia claims the most assists, maybe would have expected the winger and striker to swap what they won but, they did show there ability to make the difference in key moments.

View attachment 55555View attachment 55554
Cornet claimed some personal awards. He has been great for us since joining from Lyon and justified my decision to spend the money to get him and on his wages.

View attachment 55553
We also get a number of players in the dream team with a number of our players doing very well in the competition.​
 
Brilliant winning the Champions League, what are your future aims for the save now you have reached the top?
 
coolmcool said:
Brilliant winning the Champions League, what are your future aims for the save now you have reached the top?
Click to expand...
Not sure, short term is cement our place on top and after that I might try and turn the team more and more Mexican to really rival Chivas
 
Playoffs

We quickly have to turn our attention back to the league as we look to complete the Apertura Clausura double. We face Monterrey in the quarter finals in what is actually a rematch of the final last season.

View attachment 55448

Monterrey 0-4 Atlas
View attachment 55446
We have a massively commanding first leg win that all but puts us into the semi finals. Vigon put us in front after 23 minutes, Fernandez whipped in a free kick from out wide and Velazquez chested it down and fired a shot away that hit a defender and then fell to Vigon who had a simple tap in with the keeper having dived to try and save Velazquez shot. Just after the hour Paciencia extended our lead, Alafitta whipped in a cross that Vigon headed down and Paciencia had a simple finish and fired the ball into the bottom corner from close range. Paciencia struck again with ten minutes left, we got the ball wide to Reyes on the left and he fired in a deep cross that Paciencia headed in with the help of the post and the keeper. Fernandez wrapped up the win with an injury time goal, Alafitta hit in another cross that Paciencia headed on target. The keeper made a good save but Fernandez was on hand to fire in the rebound and realistically kill off the tie.

Atlas 1 (5-1) 1 Monterrey
View attachment 55444We put in a professional performance with our back up side to get a draw that eases us into the next round. Paciencia struck just before half time, Garnica fired in a low cross that took a big deflection to fall to Paciencia who fired in a low shot. Funes Mori levelled the game just before the hour, Dominguez ran down almost the whole right wing and then picked out Funes Mori who took a touch and then fired past Monetti from close range. A pretty pointless game but not a bad performance from the back ups.

View attachment 55443
Pachuca the top seeds fell to Pumas and so as a result we will be taking on Cruz Azul in the semi finals.

View attachment 55442
I will also be doing so without Luis Fernandez and Catalan who both could have played a part in the tie as they are in the U-20 world cup.

Cruz Azul 1-0 Atlas
View attachment 55441We aren't great in this game as Cruz Azul get a narrow win and we fail to get an away goal. Rojas scored the only goal of the game after 21 minutes, FM legend Fierro got out wide and whipped a cross into the back post De Buen put it back across goal and gave an unmarked Rojas a simple tap in to hand them the advantage.

Atlas 2 (2-3) 2 Cruz Azul
View attachment 55440A home draw ends our season as Cruz Azul progress into the final at our expense. Fierro got Cruz Azul an away goal after 15 minutes, we got caught out on the counter attack and Menendez played in Fierro and despite an incredibly tight angle he was able to beat Monetti and leave us needing three goals to progress. Paciencia pulled on back after 24 minutes, Garnica was found in space on the right and sprinted down the line. He whipped in a great cross that allowed Paciencia to head in from point blank range. Rojas scored just before the half to leave us needing three goals again, played in on goal he to beat Monetti from a tight angle this time firing past him at the near post. Sub De la Rosa scored just after the half but it wasn't enough, Ortiz chested the ball down to him and De la Rosa hit a good strike past the keeper from 16 yards.

View attachment 55439
Despite the NACL win the season ends on a low note as I think we could have beaten Cruz Azul to get into the final.

View attachment 55438
Cruz Azul won the final weirdly winning all of their ties 3-2 and being the lower ranked team in all of them.​
 
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