Campeonísimo?

Chivas out of time, Sánchez out as well

September 22nd, 2022
Guadalajara, Jalisco

Manager Jesús Sánchez handed in resignation following Chivas' elimination from playoff contention.

Chivas went into Estadio Caliente on Tuesday needing a win to continue their hopes of being in the Apertura 2022 playoffs. However, a late goal from Edgar López would break their hearts, leaving them now 5 points from a playoff spot with only one game remaining.

Today, Chivas president Amaury Vergara announced the club's decision to terminate Sánchez' contract, wishing him the best for the future. Rumors have already started as to who will replace the young manager, with Alberto Coyote hoping to turn his caretaker role into a permanent one, like Ricardo Cadena did in 2020.

Sánchez' final numbers with Chivas are disappointing, lasting a total of 115 days in charge. His record of 5 won, 3 drawn and 9 lost for a win percentage of 29% are the worst for any Chivas manager in the Vergara era. Sánchez has not spoken publicly as to what's next for him, with clubs such as Mazatlán or Correcaminos looking for managers.

Tepatitlán bet on Sánchez

October 28th, 2022
Tepatitlán, Jalisco
The Clausura 2021 champions have appointed Jesús Sánchez as manager. The news comes just one month after his sacking from Chivas. He replaces the Argentinian Bruno Marioni, who left the club to manage Mazatlán. The alteños are currently 10th in the Mexican Expansion League, with 3 games left to play. Fans will be hoping their team can make it to at least the quarter finals.

Sánchez spoke to the press yesterday about his appointment, "I'm very happy to be here! Judging from the training sessions and video I've seen, it seems like a talented squad and I'm looking forward hopefully to challenging for promotion in the near future."
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Squad report

So, I'm replacing the guy who took the job I wanted. No big deal, I'm staying in my home state, just a one hour drive away from home. I'm making much less money, just 4k dollars a month, but that is still more than enough to live comfortably in the 4th largest city of Jalisco. Anyway, here's the squad I have inherited from Marioni:


I'll be looking to make some improvements in the winter, depending on the budget we have (it's not looking good). We definitely need left-backs, our central midfielders are old, on-loan or both, and personally, I want to get rid of the controversial Joao Maleck, it doesn't matter if my coaches think he's a star player for this league.

We're going to play an attacking 4-4-2, with the goal of having the ball, thus controlling the pace of the game, and generating quality chances for our two strikers to finish. Here's our tactic with a sample (available) starting 11:


Our remaining games in the Apertura are against Oaxaca (14) at home, Pumas Tabasco (9) away and Durango (17) at home. I'm hoping to get three wins, although a draw against Pumas Tabasco wouldn't be that bad. Either way, we should have enough quality to get a top 12 finish and make it to the playoffs. If the season ended today, we would face Atlético Morelia away.

I'll play through to the end of the Apertura regular season and give you an update before the playoffs!

Tepatitlán get home advantage in Playoffs

November 17th, 2022
Tepatitlán, Jalisco
The Jalisco team carries a 7-game unbeaten streak into the preliminary round.
Following a 5-2 win at home, Tepatitlán FC have taken hold of 5th place and home advantage in the preliminary round. They will face Raya2, the Expansion League affiliate of CF Monterrey, next Tuesday. In the regular season, Tepa visited and defeated Raya2 3-1.
Cimarrones, Tlaxcala, Leones Negros and Mineros de Zacatecas have all qualified directly to the quarter finals and await the winners of the preliminary round. The preliminary matches are as follows:
Tepatitlán (5) vs Raya2 (12)
Tapatío (6) vs Venados (11)
Correcaminos (7) vs Cancún (10)
Celaya (8) vs Morelia (9)
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Tlaxcala make it to the semi finals

December 4th, 2022
Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala

After a record-breaking encounter with Tepatitlán, Tlaxcala have gone through as the higher seed.

Tepatitlán seemed to have the match under control for all of 60 minutes, as they were winning 4-1 with goals from Joao Maleck (2), José López and Brian Gambarte. Then, winger Juan Angulo got himself sent off, forcing the Alteños' manager to make a tactical change. It was the 77th minute when Carlos Alvarado fouled Alfredo Juraidini inside the Tepatitlán box. Giovani Hernández would score the penalty that inspired the Tlaxcala comeback. 4 minutes later, Venezuelan midfielder José Serrano hit a volley from 25 meters out to tie the aggregate score.

Andrés González' first goal with Tepatitlán made it look like the Jalisco outfit would go through, scoring after a great through ball from Luis Reyes in the 85th minute. However, Javier Hernández would cap off a 92nd minute counter to break Alteños hearts.

The Expansion League semifinals begin this Tuesday when Mineros de Zacatecas face off against Cimarrones. Tlaxcala will visit Guadalajara to play Leones Negros on Wednesday.
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Tepatitlán have undefeated start in Clausura 2023

Tepatitlán, Jalisco
February 1st, 2023
The Altos de Jalisco team are currently 4th, following their away draw against Morelia.
Despite the large turnover of players, Tepatitlán currently hold a 3-1-0 record to begin the Clausura 2023 tournament, improving on their 0-1-3 record to begin Apertura 2022. The Alteños are joint 3rd best in goals scored and joint 4th best in goals allowed so far.
Last Saturday's match against 1st place Morelia proved to be Tepa's hardest challenge so far, with them falling behind after only 7 minutes. It was César Santana's 80th minute header that rescued a point for them. The 21-year-old has played 215 minutes this tournament, after playing only 54 in the Apertura, with him seizing the starting spot following Luis Alberto Márquez' departure to the Chilean first division.
Tepatitlán saw 9 players depart this winter, with 5 new signings coming to town as Jesús Sánchez hopes to guide his side to a playoff spot amidst financial troubles. Given their current form, February might prove another positive month for the Jalisco team as they face Leones Negros (9), Tapatío (10), Cimarrones (3) and Atlético La Paz (13).
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Tepatitlán continue unbeaten run

Tepatitlán, Jalisco
March 1st, 2023

César Santana's hat-trick in the 3-3 draw against La Paz extends Tepatitlán FC's unbeaten streak to 8 games as the Altos de Jalisco club sit in 2nd place. The Alteños scored 13 goals in 4 games this month as they try to reach the Clausura playoffs.

Their player of the month was winter signing Rodolfo Vilchis, who participated in 289 minutes this month. The Michoacán native contributed 2 goals and 4 assists with his best performance coming against Cimarrones, a match in which he got a 9.6 grade.

Sánchez' men will have a busy month of March as they face Celaya (10), Correcaminos (7), Raya2 (5), Zacatecas (6), Atlante (9) and Venados (8).
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Tepatitlán unbeaten streak ends at 13

April 1st, 2023
Tepatitlán, Jalisco

A 1-2 loss against Venados this past Wednesday ended Tepatitlan's unbeaten start to the 2023 Clausura. Despite Brian Gambarte's goal to draw the game, Victor Mañón's 88th minute goal won the game for the Yucatán team. Tepatitlán had been playing with 10 men since the 27th minute due to Fernando Ponce seeing two yellow cards.

The Alteños had shown great resilience to extend their unbeaten run in games against Raya2, tying it in the 72nd minute, and Mineros de Zacatecas, when they scored goals in the 95th and 96th minute to win it. However, Venados capitalized on Tepatitlán's worst game of the tournament as they conceded a 40th minute penalty to open scoring.

Despite the recent result, Tepatitlán's great form has been enough to secure them a top 8 finish so far, with 3 games to go. They can get a ticket straight to the quarter finals with a win against Oaxaca next Friday.

Tepatitlán's player of the month for March was striker César Santana. The 21-year-old continues to enjoy his opportunity for 1st team football, relegating new signing Tomás Ángel to only 182 minutes this month. The Morelia, Michoacán native participated in all 6 games this month, adding up 329 minutes and scoring 3 times, including a double against Atlante.

Tepa will hope to have a strong close to the Clausura as they face Oaxaca (16), Pumas Tabasco (7) and Durango (17).
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Tepatitlán to face Morelia in Quarter Finals

May 1st, 2023
Tepatitlán, Jalisco

Recovering from their 14th week defeat against Venados, Tepatitlán posted an unbeaten April to secure 1st place and a spot in the quarter finals. Defeating Alebrijes, Pumas Tabasco and Durango while allowing no goals, Sánchez' men are raring to go. Following the draw, Tepa will face Atlético Morelia with the first game coming this Tuesday in Michoacán.

After Pumas Tabasco, Zacatecas, Celaya and Atlante won in the preliminary round, the quarter finals are set to begin Tuesday with the following ties:
Celaya vs Atlante
Pumas Tabasco vs Tapatío
Morelia vs Tepatitlán
Zacatecas vs Venados
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Tepatitlán FC secure Expansión semifinal spot

May 7th, 2023
Tepatitlán, Jalisco

Despite losing the away game 1-2, Tepatitlán FC have secured a place in the Liga de Expansión Clausura 2023 semifinals. A 3-0 win in the first half of the tie led the Alteños to the next round. The best player of the tie was transfer-listed striker Joao Maleck, scoring 3 goals. César Santana also scored in Tepa's 4-2 aggregate win.

Tepatitlán will hope to continue their strong playoff run when they face Venados FC, starting this Wednesday. Once again, the 2nd leg will be played at Estadio Gregorio "Tepa" Gómez on saturday.

Tepatitlán make it an all-Jalisco Final

May 13th, 2023
Tepatitlán, Jalisco

A strong showing over two legs sees Tepatitlán FC reach the Clausura 2023 Final where they will face Tapatío. Chivas' affiliate were 4th in the tournament and have eliminated Pumas Tabasco and Atlante to make it this far. This will be the 2nd time Jesús Sánchez faces his former employers with the previous match ending 2-0 in favor the Alteños.

Tepa kept two clean sheets to win it 5-0 over two legs with goals coming from César Santana, Edson Rivera, Tomás Ángel and Ángel Tecpanécatl. However they will be without their star goalkeeper César López as his loan coming from Chivas won't allow him to play the final. Covering his spot will be January signing, Miguel Nuñez. Defender Carlos Villanueva is also unavailable.
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Tepatitlán win 2nd Expansion League Title!

May 20th, 2023
Tepatitlán, Jalisco

Tepatitlán FC have won their 2nd Liga de Expansión MX title in 3 years after defeating Tapatío 5-4 over two legs. They had previously won the competition in 2021, winning the Campeón de Campeones that same year. They'll be hoping to win their 2nd Campeón de Campeones title when they face Mineros de Zacatecas on Wednesday. It is Jesús Sánchez' first career title.

The Alteños were off to a rocky start, losing the 1st leg despite a 17th minute goal from Tomás Ángel. They would go on to allow 3 goals and couldn't capitalize on the 76th minute sending off of Gilberto García. Thus, Tepa left Jalisco's capital with a 2 goal deficit.

The second leg at Estadio Tepa Gómez would be a different story though. Just before half time, Tomás Ángel scored his 4th playoff goal to revive the Altos team's hopes. Benjamín Sánchez scored just 5 minutes into the 2nd half, making it a 4-2 aggregate lead for Tapatío. Joao Maleck would score 15 minutes later, which meant Tepa needed only one goal to force extra-time. When it all seemed lost, a great through ball and an excellent finish from the Colombian striker turned the stadium into a frenzy. Ángel would cement his legend status in Tepatitlán, scoring a 98th minute goal which ultimately meant the championship.

Tepatitlán will face Apertura champions Mineros de Zacatecas to determine who the "Champion of Champions" is. However, with promotion not an option, it is more of a friendly competition.
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It's good this I'm enjoying it, keep it up