GUADALAJARA, Mexico — The Clausura 2012 kicks off this weekend in Mexico, with some intriguing games for Yanks down south and at least two players likely to make debuts.
The focus for US fans will be on the northern city of Torreón, where Herculez Gomez should play at least some role for his new club Santos. They'll be up against Gomez's fellow US international José Francisco Torres and his Pachuca side on Saturday (8 pm ET; TeleFutura, ESPN Dos).
In Morelia, Monarcas host a Club Tijuana side in which three American-born players could feature (Friday, 9 pm ET; Fox Deportes, Azteca América).
Left back Edgar Castillo is likely to debut for the Xolos, with fellow American new boy Greg Garza also in the frame. San Diego native Joe Corona will be hoping to be involved at some point as Tijuana begin their battle to stay in Mexico's top division.
DaMarcus Beasley's Puebla start at home on Sunday against Atlas (1 pm ET; ESPN Deportes, Azteca América), while Michael Orozco Fiscal's San Luis host Pumas UNAM on Saturday evening (9:45 pm ET; Galavisión).
Elsewhere, Sonny Guadarrama's Atlante take on Miguel Ángel Ponce's Guadalajara on Saturday (8 pm; Telemundo), with Jonathan Bornstein and current champions Tigres UANL facing a tough opener on the road against Cruz Azul (Saturday, 6 pm ET; ESPN Dos, Fox Deportes, Azteca América).
In the second division, Isaac Acuña could make his debut for Mérida against Necaxa on Saturday (8 pm ET), while Marco Vidal's Club León take on Correcaminos (Saturday, 9 pm ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America. He can be reached via tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
