GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Former teammates at both club and national level, Herculez Gomez and José Francisco Torres will both take to the same field Friday evening as Estudiantes Tecos take on Pachuca at the 3 de Marzo stadium in Guadalajara.
Gomez’s Estudiantes go into the game with a new manager, Raúl Arias, on the bench and off the back of an excellent 2-0 away victory over city rivals Atlas last weekend. Midfielder Torres’ Pachuca have been unpredictable over the first five games of the season, but they won their last game against Toluca 3-0 at home. Both Gómez, 29, and Torres, 23, are likely to start the game (9 pm ET, Galavisión).
Joe Corona and the Xoloitzcuintles from Club Tijuana face a tough test at Cruz Azul on Saturday evening (6 pm ET, ESPN Deportes) in Mexico City.
Things will also be difficult for San Luis’ returnee Michael Orozco Fiscal, who comes back from his suspension. The Gladiadores head north to Monterrey to take on Tigres UANL, with Mexican international Carlos Salcido likely to make his debut (8 pm ET). Jonathan Bornstein is unlikely to be called up for Tigres.
The big game of the weekend is injury and suspension-plagued Guadalajara against Monterrey (8 pm ET, TV Azteca) on Saturday. Chivas will be able to count of Sacramento’s Miguel Ángel Ponce, who has played every single minute of the season to date, although they are set to field a side shorn of many first-teamers.
DaMarcus Beasley has also been a regular on the left wing for Puebla and will be hoping to score his first goal in the Primera Division against FC Dallas’ latest victims, Pumas UNAM (1 pm ET, ESPN Deportes) on Sunday.
Pressure is building on Club América coach Carlos Reinoso following an inconsistent start to the season. Edgar Castillo, 24, will be hoping he remains in Reinoso’s starting 11 for the game against Atlas (5 pm ET, Univisión) Sunday, and that Jurgen Klinsmann is watching. Calexico, Calif., native Isaac Acuña will not be playing after being removed from the first team squad Thursday for indiscipline.
In the Liga de Ascenso, Leon’s Marco Vidal is in line for his usual starting spot against Neza Saturday night (9 pm ET).
Tom Marshall can be reached at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com or via Twitter: @mexicoworldcup
