Photo: Pumas UNAM forward Martin Bravo (from Mexsport via CONCACAF.com)

Pumas UNAM are back on the prowl.  

The 2010-2011 Mexican Clausura champion trashed Toluca 4-1 at home on Sunday to get back within striking distance of the 2011-12 Apertura. The Mexican top flight – like most Latin American leagues – is divided into two seasons (Apertura and Clausura) with playoffs (Liguilla), for the top eight teams at the end of each 17-game tournament.

Pumas staggered into last week far from displaying the predatory instinct that showed them joint atop the Clausura with Tigres last year, on way to beating Morelia in the two-leg Liguilla finals. 

UNAM’s struggle ended with a visit by Toronto at midweek in the CONCACAF Champions League. Led by striker Martin Bravo, the Mexicans played a full-strength lineup for the first time in CCL and handed Toronto its worst loss on the continent, a 4-0 defeat.

Then on Sunday, Bravo struck once from the spot, and created two of the four UNAM goals as Pumas rampantly preyed upon Toluca, answering a sixth minute deficit with four goals.

With eight goals in two games last week, Pumas may look to devour wounded Dallas on Wednesday.

For Toronto, regardless of the result on Tuesday against Tauro at BMO Field, a Dallas victory or a draw would be the best outcome in Group C, setting up a head-to-head home contest between the Canadian and Mexican champions on September 27 that could determine who goes to the CCL quarterfinals in March.

RELATED: Dallas discouraged ahead of Pumas
RELATED: Get Champions League tickets at BMO Field

Dallas would virtually secure a trip to the quarterfinals with a victory on Wednesday, but Pumas could claim first place in the group with a win in Texas. A draw keeps both sides within reach for Toronto, provided the Reds get a result against Tauro.

According to at least one regional source, Pumas head coach Guillermo Vazquez has revenge on the mind on Wednesday for becoming the first Mexican side to lose at home to MLS opposition, a 1-0 defeat to Dallas, in the Group C opener. At the time of writing, Vazquez is expected to field a strong lineup in Frisco, abandoning the youth policy pursued earlier in the tournament.