Morelia leads Mexican Apertura; Chivas languishing

MEXICO CITY (AP) Morelia kicked off the eighth round with a 4-1 win over Pachuca to hold first place in the Mexico's Apertura championship, while Chivas continued its poor form with a 0-0 draw Sunday against Toluca.

Chivas - one of Mexico's most popular clubs - has just one win from seven matches and is in 16th place in the 18-team league after the scoreless game in which Rafa Marquez Lugo had a first-half penalty saved by goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera.

Leon is second in the standings following its 2-0 win over Santos Laguna, equal on 16 points with Morelia but with one fewer wins. America is in third place, three points behind, but can make up ground with a match against Pumas on Monday.

In other weekend matches, Veracruz drew 1-1 with Tigres, Queretaro overcame Cruz Azul 2-0, Chiapas won 3-1 against Tijuana, Monterrey drew 0-0 with Atlas and Puebla defeated Atlante 1-0, while America plays Pumas on Monday.

Morelia had a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes on Friday, starting with Enrique Perez heading in from the penalty spot in the 9th minute.

Hector Mancilla added the second three minutes later with a left-foot finish, before Jose Maria Cardenas netted the third in the 19th.

Pachuca's only goal came via Duvier Riascos in first-half injury time and Edgar Andrade restored the three-goal cushion with a direct free kick from 30 yards in the 67th.

For Leon, Argentine Mauro Boselli headed in for five minutes before halftime and Uruguayan Matias Britos tapped in for the second in the 80th against Santos Laguna.

Cristian Martinez rescued a point for Veracruz in the 92nd, leveling the scores after a deflected shot from Lucas Lobos in the 40th had given Tigres the lead.

Chilean Esteban Paredes put Queretaro ahead against Cruz Azul from the penalty spot in the 8th and Luis Lorona doubled the lead in the 38th.