GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Overall, it was a positive weekend for Americans down in Mexico, with three debuts and only one US-born player on the losing side.
The best news of the weekend for US national team fans was the return of José Francisco Torres to Pachuca's starting lineup on Saturday.
"El Gringo" went the full 90 minutes for the Tuzos in his first appearance since injuring his left foot back on Sept. 17 and looked back to his effervescent self, displaying the kind of form that pushed him into US coach Jurgen Klinsmann's first few squads.
Pachuca tied Santos Laguna 0-0, with Torres' fellow 2010 World Cup squad member Herculez Gomez coming on in the 73rd minute to make his official debut for Santos.
Last Friday, three US-born players featured for Club Tijuana in their 1-1 road tie with Morelia. Edgar Castillo went the full 90 minutes in his debut for the Xolos, while Joe Corona looked bright when he came off the bench at halftime.
Grapvine, Texas, native Greg Garza entered the fray in the 72nd minute to make his debut in Mexico's top division, playing a more advanced role on the left side of the pitch.
Michael Orozco Fiscal played the full game for San Luis in their excellent 1-0 victory over Pumas UNAM. The Gladiadores went down to 10 men in the 34th minute, but still managed to come out of the contest with three points.
Former MLS winger DaMarcus Beasley played 55 minutes for Puebla, who could not break down the stern resistance of Atlas and had to settle for a goalless tie.
Defending champions Tigres UANL drew 1-1 at Cruz Azul, with Jonathan Bornstein an unused substitute.
Sacramento, Calif.-born Miguel Ángel Ponce was the only US-born player to be on the losing side, as Guadalajara lost 1-0 at home against Atlante. Sonny Guadarrama was an unused substitute for Atlante.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America. He can be reached via tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
