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          Tigres, Xolos earn statement wins; Lozano sends cryptic message

          • Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondentJan 21, 2017, 11:32 PM

          Week 3 in the Liga MX 2017 Clausura produced some big matchups.

          Here are the main talking points from the weekend's action:

          1. Xolos nab win against lackluster Chivas

          Miguel "Piojo" Herrera came out on top against Argentine manager Matias Almeyda on Saturday evening, with his Club Tijuana side overcoming Chivas 1-0 in Estadio Chivas.

          The buildup to the game centered on Almeyda stating that Mexican coaches such as Herrera (although he didn't mention him by name) should have more faith in domestic talent. Herrera fielded just two Mexico-born footballers in his starting XI against all-Mexican Chivas. And it was U.S. attacker Paul Arriola who stood up a cross for Milton Caraglio to bulldoze in at the far post in the 74th minute.

          Chivas lacked their usual verve and fluidity in the final third. Angel Zaldivar, Rodolfo Pizarro and Orbelin Pineda all failed to exert their influence, while Tijuana played a more limited but effective game. Almeyda will no doubt be thinking about changing things for next week's game against Queretaro.

          For U.S. fans, it was also a notable night, with right wing-back Arriola, midfielder Joe Corona and defender Michael Orozco all completing the full 90 minutes for Tijuana and producing positive displays.

          2. Zelarayan shines as Tigres thrash America

          Tigres and Club America both headed into Saturday's game in desperate need of their first Clausura wins, but Monterrey took care of business after putting four goals past America's goalkeeper, Agustin Marchesin, in a 4-2 win.

          The final stats read 17 shots for Tigres (eight on goal), while America had nine shots (four on goal).

          Although America had extra days to prepare its Clausura debut because of the club's participation in last month's Club World Cup, the team looks short of ideas, unable to have more than 10 consecutive minutes of good play. Las Aguilas' matches against Tigres and Toluca have proven that head coach Ricardo La Volpe has a lot of work to do.

          3. Monterrey scrapes point at Cruz Azul

          There are two ways of viewing Cruz Azul's 2-2 tie with Monterrey on Saturday. The first is that La Maquina's defending was abysmal against a Monterrey team that lacked ambition and played with 10 players for 32 minutes. Only a late own goal by Nico Sanchez salvaged Cruz Azul a point. Put simply, this was a case of two points dropped at home, even if the team was 2-0 down at half-time.

          The other, more positive take is that La Maquina dominated one of the best teams in Mexico -- at least in terms of individual talent. With better finishing -- Martin Rodriguez missed an open net late on -- a bit more luck in the officiating and a tighter defensive performance, this would've been a comfortable victory. The fact the team enjoyed 77 percent of possession gives an idea of its domination.

          Cruz Azul was set to be the most intriguing team to watch at this 2017 Clausura. Doubts remain about the defensive organization of Jemez's teams, and Cruz Azul is no different.

          As for Monterrey, the lack of ambition and defensive lineup Antonio Mohamed put out almost did the job, but moving forward, there are serious questions about the team's cohesion, the role of Edwin Cardona -- who was again on the bench -- and whether a side so stacked shouldn't have a more positive outlook.

          4. Chiapas earn shock away win with team up for sale

          The relegation battle is really starting to inspire teams. A golazo from Chiapas' Jonathan Fabbro earned Chiapas a shock 1-0 win over Toluca on Sunday to lift them above both Veracruz and Morelia in the relegation table. News came earlier in the week that Chiapas is officially up for sale, but the players -- perhaps playing for moves -- showed themselves to be a determined and professional unit.

          Of the other relegation candidates, Morelia managed a 1-1 draw with Santos Laguna on Saturday and Veracruz won 1-0 at home to Atlas on Friday, while Puebla and Queretaro drew 0-0 on Sunday.

          Morelia ended the weekend in last place in the relegation table, although all of the clubs in danger of the drop are showing signs they plan to put up a fight.

          5. Lozano sends out mysterious message over future

          Mexico international winger Hirving Lozano was strangely subdued in Pachuca's 1-0 loss on the road to Necaxa. Perhaps he wasn't as focused as he could've been and the speculation surrounding his future -- he has long been linked with a move to Europe -- inspired him to write a couple of English-language tweets on Friday evening:

          It was hard to decipher whether it was a message to the Pachuca directors, or perhaps even to European clubs to pay the price or back down. Whatever was meant, it appears there is plenty going on inside Lozano's head as we arrive in the final days of the January transfer window.