Monterrey beats Atlas to reach Mexican semifinals

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Monterrey became the last team to reach the semifinals of Mexico's first-division playoffs with a 2-0 win over Atlas on Sunday.

Monterrey joins America, Tigres and Toluca in the semifinals. America plays Toluca on Wednesday and Saturday, while Monterrey plays Tigres on Thursday and Sunday.

Like many Latin American countries, Mexico divides its season into two parts. These playoffs are for the Aperura, or opening, title.

Atlas started the second leg with an advantage, having won the first game 1-0. However, Monterrey's Dorlan Pabon converted a penalty in the 31st minute, and Candido Ramirez struck in the 70th, securing a 2-1 aggregate over the two legs.

Paolo Goltz's header in the 75th of the second game against Pumas was enough for America, which secured an aggregate of 1-1 and advanced to the semifinals as the higher seed.

America has won 11 league titles, the same number as bitter rival Chivas. If America wins this season, they will become the most successful team in the history of Mexican football. If Toluca wins, it will equal the records of America and Chivas.