America closes in on first place in Mexico

MEXICO CITY (AP) — America defeated Jaguares 2-0 on Sunday to move within two points of league-leading Morelia in Mexico's first division.

Morelia defeated Queretaro 3-0 on Saturday and has with 20 points from nine matches.

Guadalajara club Chivas won its second consecutive game since Johan Cruyff was named a club adviser, defeating Puebla 2-1 on Sunday.

In other results, Cruz Azul beat Monterrey 4-3, Santos defeated San Luis 5-2, Tigres won 1-0 against Atlante, Pumas defeated Toluca 2-0, Tijuana won 2-0 against Estudiantes Tecos, and Atlas drew 0-0 with Pachuca.

America went ahead with Daniel Montenegro's goal in the 28th minute after latching on to a back heel pass from Christian Benitez. Lugiani Gallardo added the second from long range in the 90th after Jaguares' keeper lost the ball outside his penalty area and was left stranded away from his goal.

Morelia's Rafael Marquez headed in the first goal in the 11th minute, with Miguel Sabah finishing from a tight angle to make it two in the 18th. Gerardo Lugo added the third five minutes into the second half.

Queretaro sacked its Paraguayan manager Jose Cardozo after the game with the team in last place.

Spaniard Luis Garcia chested the ball past two Chivas defenders and scored from inside the penalty area for Puebla just before halftime. Hector Reynoso converted a penalty for Chivas in the 52nd before Puebla's Roberto Juarez was sent off in the 55th. A deflected shot from Jorge Enriquez in the 60th gave Chivas the victory.

Argentine Christian Gimenez scored twice for Cruz Azul with Omar Bravo and Emanuel Villa getting the others. Aldo de Nigris put Monterrey in the lead in the 20th, with Chilean striker Humberto Suazo scoring Monterrey's second from 25 yards (meters) and Jose Maria Basanta heading in from a corner in second-half injury time.

Mexico international Oribe Peralta scored four goals for Santos, with United States international Herculez Gomez getting the other.

A defensive error allowed Lucas Lobos to score in the 14th for defending champions Tigres.

Efrain Velarde netted for Pumas in the 32nd, with Jose Antonio Garcia getting the second in the 62nd.

Atlas and Pachuca both failed to convert chances, but the draw for Atlas means it is now seven points ahead of relegation rivals Estudiantes Tecos, which lost to Tijuana thanks to second half goals from Argentines Jose Sand and Egidio Arevalo.