Medina helps Atlas top America
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mexico City, Mexico (SportsNetwork.com) - Juan Carlos Medina scored the deciding goal with 21 minutes to play on Saturday as Atlas claimed a 2-1 win over America in a battle of first and third place in the Apertura table.
After suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Leon back on Nov. 1, Atlas finished their Apertura schedule with a draw and a win to finish in third place heading into the playoffs.
America heads into the playoffs searching for form as the club closed its Apertura season on a four-match losing streak. Despite the recent stumble, America finished on top of the table with 31 points, level with Tigres and Atlas, but on top via goal difference.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Atlas opened the scoring on Saturday after 33 minutes through a goal from Maikon Leite, but the home side drew level four minutes before the break through Oribe Peralta.
Medina's winner came in the 69th minute and the club held on to claim all three points and finish level on points with America. Atlas will face Monterrey in the playoff quarterfinals, while America will face Pumas.
Also in Mexico on Saturday, Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored a pair of goals, including a 90th-minute penalty kick as Puebla and Santos played to a 3-3 draw, while Marco Fabian and Marcelo Alatorre swapped goals as Leones Negros and Cruz Azul finished level at 1-1.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Damian Ariel Alvarez's 90th-minute strike lifted Tigres to a 2-1 win over Toluca, while Aviles Hurtado late goal helped Pachuca claim a 1-0 win over Veracruz.
Finally on Saturday, Jaguares earned a 2-1 win over Queretaro to finish fifth in the table.
Sunday's lone match saw Eduardo Herrera score a brace to go with goals from Dante Lopez and David Cabrera as Pumas claimed a 4-2 win over Monterrey to earn the final playoff spot.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Friday, Guadalajara earned a 2-1 win over Morelia, while Tijuana edged Leon, 3-2.
The Apertura playoffs will get underway this week with top-seed America facing Pumas, while second-seed Tigres battles seventh-seed Pachuca. Third-seed Atlas faces sixth-seed Monterrey, while fourth-seed Toluca plays fifth-seed Jaguares.