GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Two teams featuring US players will battle it out for top spot in the fourth round of games in the Liga MX this weekend.
First up, however, is Herculez Gomez’s Santos Laguna, facing last year’s sensation Club León in the Estadio Corona in Friday's opening slate of games (10:30 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
Gomez has started the last three games for the Guerreros, who have four points from their three league games so far, but the US international won’t be up against former New York Red Bulls Designated Player Rafa Márquez, who misses the game through injury.
Don’t shout it too loudly, but Puebla are looking like a renewed outfit this season and sit on four points from their three games.
DaMarcus Beasley has been on form the last two games for La Franja and should start in a difficult away trip to Cruz Azul on Saturday, though Michael Orozco Fiscal is a doubt after picking up an injury last weekend (6 pm ET, ESPN Deportes).
READ: American Exports: Beasley stars in Puebla's Copa victory
At the top of the league, Jose Torres’ Tigres UANL travel to a Querétaro side that has been the surprise of the tournament so far (6 pm ET, Univision Deportes), although the team from Monterrey starts as favorites with a perfect record so far this season.
Also on Saturday, champions Tijuana are also looking to improve on their three wins from three games against Pachuca (8 pm ET, UniMás). Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona are set to start the game, with Greg Garza a possibility.
In the Ascenso MX, Adrian Ruelas’ Veracruz play Friday against Estudiantes Tecos (9 pm ET), Sonny Guadarrama’s Mérida host Pumas Morelos (Sat., 8 pm ET), Marco Vidal’s Lobos BUAP travel to Celaya (Sat., 9:50 pm ET) and Jesús Padilla’s La Piedad face Cruz Azul Hidalgo (Sun., 1:30 pm ET).
Further south, FC Dallas loanee Moises Hernandez looks set to miss out again for Saprissa due to complications surrounding his International Transfer Certificate.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. Contact him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
