America makes first-ever trip to bottom of Mexican league

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- America hit the bottom of the Mexican league for the first time ever when it extended its winless streak to 11 games in a 1-0 loss to Atlante on Sunday.

Venezuelan striker Giancarlo Maldonado scored the only goal with 12 minutes left for defending champion Atlante to retain hope of qualifying for the playoffs.

"I came back and helped the team get the win,'' said Maldonado, who missed six rounds due to a knee surgery. "This is about the team, I do not score alone. Now we need two more wins. Let's see what we can do.''

Atlante, which broke its own winless streak of 10 games, needs two more wins and a combination of other results to move on.

America remained on eight points, the only team in single digits after 15 rounds.

America's archrival Chivas lost 1-0 against Monterrey on Saturday but remained atop the standings with 29 points with San Luis, which beat Morelia 2-1. Chivas has a better goal average.

Cruz Azul remained third with 28 points.

In other scores, it was: Necaxa 1, Santos 1; Jaguares 1, Veracruz 2; Atlas 1, Tigres 0; Puebla 5, Pachuca 2; Pumas 0, Toluca 0.

Javier Campora scored three goals for Puebla, which needs one point to avoid relegation.

Campora, who was cut by the team two weeks ago, came back to score in the sixth, 77th and 87th minutes.

Jorge Zamogilny added a score in the 31st and Joaquin Velazquez scored in the 67th for Puebla, which will face Chivas and Atlante in its last two games.

If Puebla gets the point, Veracruz will go down to the second division.

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