GUADALAJARA, Mexico — With the Apertura 2011 starting on Friday, it was an important weekend of action for Americans South of the Border as they seek to consolidate starting spots for the big kickoff.
Joe Benny Corona (above) impressed for the Xoloitzcuintles of Club Tijuana in their 2-0 victory against Jaguares de Chiapas in Mexico City. The 20-year-old San Diegan started on the right wing and came close to opening the scoring in the first half. In the same game, Jaguares striker and fellow Californian Adrian Ruelas came on as a second-half substitute.
US national-teamer Herculez Gomez was the focal point of the Estudiantes Tecos attack in their 4-1 victory against Dorados de Sinaloa in the team’s penultimate preseason friendly. Although he didn’t hit the back of the net against Dorados, the World Cup veteran has four goals in seven games this preseason. Teammate Daniel Antúnez is still on the Tecos treatment table and will miss the start of the season, MLSsoccer.com has learned.
Mexico’s traditional big spenders Club América lost 2-0 to England's nouveau riche, Manchester City, with New Mexican native Edgar Castillo one of only three players to play the full 90 minutes. Fellow American Isaac Acuña didn't get on the field in the World Football Challenge match in San Francisco.
USMNT veteran Jonathan Bornstein wasn’t involved in Tigres UANL’s 4-0 trouncing of Pumas in Monterrey.
In Mexico City, Pachuca tied 1-1 with Cruz Azul with José Francisco Torres in the starting lineup. Cruz Azul dominated the first half and went into the break 1-0 up, but a neat cross by Torres in the 47th minute was met by Félix Borja, who duly equalized for losTuzos.
Now recovered from his stomach issues, DaMarcus Beasley started in Puebla’s 3-0 victory over Pumas Morelos. The three-time World Cup veteran played for an hour in the extended game of four periods each lasting 30 minutes.
Michael Orozco Fiscal once again started in defense for San Luis in the team’s sixth preseason friendly. San Luis ran out 3-0 winners against Liga de Ascenso side Correcaminos.
Tom Marshall can be reached at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com or via Twitter: @mexicoworldcup
