GUADALAJARA, Mexixo — It's a busy weekend of action for Americans down south, as the jockeying for playoff positions in Mexico's first division takes shape. Then there's also that small matter of the final chance to impress Jurgen Klinsmann before the call-up for Feb. 29's US national team game against Italy.
José Francisco Torres has declared himself fit and is ready to face Club América in the Estadio Azteca on Sunday alongside his Pachuca teammates (5 pm ET, Univisión) after spraining his ankle in Wednesday's training.
Los Tuzos are unbeaten so far this season, unlike Michael Orozco Fiscal's San Luis, who are desperate for a win after four straight defeats. Los Gladiadores face Chivas de Guadalajara in the Estadio Omnilife (Sat., 8 pm ET, Telemundo) looking to stay in contention for a playoff place. Miguel Ángel Ponce will not feature for Chivas due to his ongoing knee ligament injury.
Jonathan Bornstein's Tigres UANL host Atlas (Sat., 8 pm ET, Galavisión), with Herculez Gomez's Santos Laguna taking on Monterrey at the same time (Sat., 8 pm ET, TeleFutura).
Earlier Saturday, Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo and Greg Garza will be hoping for some action when Club Tijuana face off against Querétaro in La Corregidora (Sat., 6 pm ET, TeleFutura).
Juan Carlos Osorio's Puebla are unbeaten in three games, and DaMarcus Beasley is likely to return to the starting lineup Sunday against Morelia after substitute duty last week because of a minor injury (1 pm ET, TV Azteca).
Opening round seven of matches on Friday is Sonny Guadarrama's Atlante, who travels away to Zapopan's Tres de Marzo stadium to play Estudiantes Tecos (9 pm ET, Galavisión).
Down in the Liga de Ascenso, Isaac Acuña's Club Mérida face Irapuato (Sat., 8 pm ET), Jesús Padilla's La Piedad travel to play the Dorados de Sinaloa (Sat., 9 pm ET) and Marco Vidal's Club León host Pumas Morelos (Sat., 9 pm ET).
Jeff Cunningham has the weekend off through suspension and won't feature in the Guatemalan first-division clash between Comunicaciones and Malacateco on Sunday (1 pm ET).
Down in Chile, Jimmy Maurer's Universidad de Concepción play Cobresal on Saturday (10:30 am ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America. He can be reached via tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
