A few Americans donned their kits south of the border this weekend.
Down in Argentina, American midfielder Michael Hoyos went the distance and scored a goal to help Estudiantes de la Plata remain atop the league standings with a 3-0 win over Lanús. In the 63rd minute, Hoyos streaked in and buried a low cross from five yards out to tally his first goal of the season.
Moving north to Mexico’s Primera División, Edgar Castillo became the first American to qualify for the playoffs as San Luis tied 1-1 with Santos. Castillo came in for the final minute of play for los Gladiadores.
América also qualified to the liguilla with a 1-0 win against Atlante. Neither Isaac Acuña (América) or Sonny Guadarrama (Atlante) were included in the game-day rosters.
[inline_node:322313]Edging closer to the big dance are Pachuca, who beat Querétaro 2-1 for their second win in as many games. José Francisco Torres went the distance in center midfield, while Hérculez Gómez came on as a 77th-minute substitute. Marco Vidal watched the match from the bench.
Helping los Tuzos reach the eighth spot in the overall table were Estudiantes, who ran rampant against Toluca to defeat the visitors 4-2. Watching from the bench as his team snapped a three-game losing streak was striker Samuel Ochoa.
Chivas de Guadalajara dominated most of the game against league-leading Cruz Azul, but in the end settled for a 0-0 draw, their sixth tie in a now seven-game unbeaten streak. Miguel Ángel Ponce went 90 minutes at left back for el Rebaño Sagrado, who now need nothing short of a miracle to reach the playoffs.
On the brink of playoff qualification are Jaguares, who beat Atlas 2-1. Francisco Javier López didn’t dress for the match.
In the country’s second division, Tijuana saw their 15-game unbeaten streak come to an end as Indios scored a 69th-minute goal and held on to the lead to win 1-0. Joe Corona started the match for Tijuana but came off in the 60th minute. Fellow American Joaquín Alonso didn’t dress for the match.
León beat Pumas Morelos 2-0 to remain in the eighth and final playoff spot. The victory is their seventh in a nine-game unbeaten streak. Víctor Sánchez García didn’t dress for the match.
