GUADALAJARA, Mexico – With left backs dropping like flies for the United States national team this week, there was a hint of irony in two Americans completing 90 minutes in that position in the Liga MX this weekend.
Greg Garza took over from the injured Edgar Castillo in Tijuana's 2-2 tie at Santos Laguna on Saturday and scored the first goal of his career for Xolos. The Texan slotted home after opposition goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez spilled a rebound to make the score 1-1 in the 28th minute. He completed the 90 minutes.
Fellow left back Jonathan Bornstein got his first start of the season in Tigres UANL's 2-0 loss at León´s “Nou Camp” stadium.
Bornstein went the full 90 minutes, but had a penalty harshly awarded against him that led to León's second goal. The Tigres defender unintentionally clipped the heel of forward Matías Britos as both were racing towards the ball in the 34th minute.
Winger Victor Garza suited up for Tigres, but didn't get on the field.
Sonny Guadarrama returned to the Liga MX and started for Atlante in their 2-2 draw at San Luis. His best effort came two minutes from halftime, when he struck a long distance shot that was saved by Óscar "Conejo" Pérez.
The Texan forward had been called up from Atlante's sister club Mérida for the game.
Michael Orozco Fiscal only came on for the last couple of minutes of the encounter for the home side.
José Torres returned to the starting lineup for Pachuca in his central midfield position, but it was another miserable afternoon for the Tuzos, who fell 1-0 to a dominant Pumas UNAM team.
“El Gringo” gave the team talk in the huddle before the game and was busy in the midfield, but Pumas dominated large parts of the match.
In the Ascenso MX, Marco Vidal's Lobos BUAP lost 2-0 away at Irapuato, with the American playing the full game.
Finally, in Guatemala's second division, former youth national teamer Vincenzo Bernardo scored a goal and made two assists after coming on at halftime in Guastatoya's 4-0 victory over Achuapa. The score was knotted at 0-0 when he entered the field.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
