Led my Nicolas Otamendi, Vélez Sarsfield has had one of the best defenses in Argentina over the last three tournaments. Now, Vélez looks primed for a run at a second consecutive Clausura title. (Photo: Flickr/LucPower Portal)

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Vélez Sarsfield's start to the 2010 Clausura is probably not related to the last Clausura, though those with a literary bend could ascribe El Fortín's start indicative of a desire for a second straight closing tournament title.

Those with a sinister literary bend would note the nature of last year's title, winning in a controversial final match against Huracán that saw a goalkeeper take a boot to the chest before the match's only goal went across the line.

It took followers of the Argentine Primera a long time to get over that finish, but if Vélez continues their strong place in their year's tournament, the way the last Clausura finished could be relegated from plot point to foot note.

This weekend Vélez got two goals within 25 minutes in route to a 2-1 over Gimnasia La Plata, who were coming off a big derby win over Estudiantes.  An own from Gimnasia in the eighth minute preceded Fernando Tobio's 25th minute tally, with Gimnasia securing the final score with a consolation shortly before half.

The win puts Vélez atop the Primera table with seven points, pending Rodoy Cruz's Monday match with Independiente.  Rodoy Cruz is the only team in the league still with a one hundred percent record.

More on Argentina and the rest of the leagues in the Americas, after the jump.

Argentina:  Estudiantes rebounded from last week's loss with a 2-0 win over San Lorenzo, betting goals from Mauro Boselli and Juan Sebastian Veron.  They sit one point behind Vélez, while San Lorenzo has only three points and one goal from three matches.

The other team on six points in Chacarita Juniors, who came back from a 1-0 deficit to Banfield, posting a 2-1 victory. 

Brazil, Paulista:  Santos is on top of the Paulista thanks to Robinho, whose 88th minute goal broke a deadlock at Sao Paulo, giving them a 2-1 victory.  The debutant entered the match in the 53rd minute with Santos up 1-0 thanks to a Neymar tally from the spot.  Sao Paulo drew even through Roger in the 66th, but Robinho's back-heel near time gave Santos the three points needed to stay ahead of Botafogo atop the league.

Botofago cruise to an easy, 3-0 victory over 14th place Mogo Mirim, while third-place Corinthians rebounded from last week's surprise loss to Ponte Preta (who have now won three in a row, after a 2-1 win over Portuguesa) by starting a stronger side.  A starting XI that featured Jorge Henrique and Roberto Carlos trounced last place Sertãozinho, 4-0.

Other name sides in the Paulista:  fifth place Palmeiras won 3-2 a Bragatino; tenth place Gremio Baureri won 4-0 at Ituano.

Brazil, Mineiro:  Cruzeiro rebounded from last week's loss to Ipantinga, carrying their mid-week Copa Libertadores form forward into a 4-2 win over winless Villa Nova.  Wellington Paulista and Johnathan had goals.  Athletico Mineiro got their first win of the tournament, with Diego Tardelli getting on the scoresheet ina  3-2 win over previously perfect Tupi.

Brazil, Carioca:  Flamengo's perfect record was ruined against Olaria last week, but they got back to their winning ways Sunday with a 2-1 win at Boavista, clinching first place in their group before the first-half semifinals.

They will face Botafogo, second in the other group, after the Fogão's 5-2 win over Resende, fueled by four goals but Sebastian Abreu.

In the other semi, group B winner Vasco de Gama - who put up an impressive 19-3 goal ratio despite drawing 2-2 with Madureira this weekend will face Fluminense, who drew nil-nil at Olaria.

Brazil, Gaucho:  Gremio and Internacional lead their groups after each won this weekend.  The Immortal won 5-1 at Ulbra thanks to a hat-trick from Borges.  Internacional dominated Avenida though survived a late scare from a Lauro howler, winning 2-1.

Chile:  Universidad de Chile recovered from third mid-week stumble at Everton to post a 3-0 win Huachipato, putting them one point up on Unión Española, who sit on eight points after a 1-0 win at home against Colo-Colo.  It was the second loss in four matches for Colo-Colo, who opened the season with a loss to Unión Felipe.

Católica is two points behind La U after their draw at San Luis on Friday.  Católica does have a match in hand and has the best points ratio in the league.

Colo-Colo sits seventh with six points.

Colombia:  The second weekend of Categoría Primera A's league play saw Deportes Tolima and Real Cartegena atop the league on six points come Sunday night.  Tolima got three second half goals against last place Deportes Quindío to affirm a 3-0 win.  Cartegena arguably registered the more convincing performance, a 2-0 road victory over Boyacá Chicó.

Independiente Medellín is 1-1-0 after two rounds, winning 2-1 this weekend at Atlético Nacional in a match player 10-on-10 for over fifty minutes.

Atlético Huila is yet to record their first win, or first loss of the new tournament, drawing Cortuluá 1-1 a week after a 2-2 result at América.

Ecuador:  The Serie A in Ecuador launched this weekend, with Barcelona and Independiente the only clubs getting victories.  LDU and Deportivo Quito each drew.

Honduras:  Marathón's surprisingly slow start to the new Liga Nacional season continued with a 4-3, home loss to league-leading Motagua, who got a 84th minute goal from Alejandor Aguilluz to break a deadlock. 

Motagua is atop the table on difference, with Real Juventud even on points after their 3-2 win at Deportes Savio. 

Olimpia is third with five points, defeating Real España 2-0 on Sunday.

Mexico:  Chivas's surprisingly perfect start to the Bicentenario continues after a 2-0 victory at Querétaro, with Omar Bravo's late header breaking a scoreless deadlock.  Guadalajara is at the top of Group 1 with 12 points, Atlas's good start (3-0-1) putting them three behind after their 1-0 victory over América.  Toluca, last tournament's group winner, is 0-3-1 after a 1-1 draw with Monterrey:  Zinha and Luis Ernesto Pérez each scoring from the spot.

In Group 2, Pachuca continues rolling with a 2-0 win over San Luis, Ulises Mendivil registering a brace.  They stay even with Monarcas, who ran their winning streak to three after a 1-0 at Indios.  Monterrey and América are right behind.

In Group 3, Santos Laguna got a 2-0 win at Estadio Azul against pre-tournament group favorites Cruz Azul, who fell to 1-1-2 on the tournament.  Santos now has seven points, one ahead of a resurgent Pumas, who are undefeated with six points thanks to their three draw of the campaign - a 2-2 result at Tigres.  Two late goals from Itimar saved a point for the hosts.