GUADALAJARA, Mexico – With the first round of World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday, there were are no injuries to report for Americans in Mexico this weekend.
Texan Jose Torres played his part for Tigres UANL in remaining top of the league after their dramatic 2-2 draw Saturday evening in the Estadio Universitario against Club Tijuana.
Torres, (above) who was among the 24 names called into US camp on Monday, went 81 minutes in his third game for his new club and appears to be settling in well alongside Carlos Salcido in central midfield.
Edgar Castillo completed the full game for Tijuana, who remain level on points with Tigres, and almost grabbed the winner when he burst into the box in injury time, only to see his first effort saved and his rebounded shot fly over the crossbar.
The New Mexico native was a constant threat down the Xolos left flank with his interceptions and strong dribbling. He was also called into US camp on Monday.
Teammate Joe Corona again kept the experienced Leandro Augusto on the bench and showed plenty of thrift, vision and finesse in the center of midfield, before being taken off after 69 minutes.
On Sunday, Herculez Gomez went 72 minutes for Santos Laguna in their 0-0 tie at Pumas UNAM. Gomez, who was also called on by Klinsmann for the team’s upcoming match against Honduras, played on the right wing and came closest to grabbing a goal in the 52nd minute, when an exquisite chipped effort rebounded off the crossbar. It would’ve been a contender for goal of the week.
Gomez also went close in the 34th when he glanced a header just wide of the post.
DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco Fiscal both started for Puebla in their 3-1 home victory over Morelia. Beasley went 66 minutes before being taken off, while Orozco Fiscal completed the full game at right back.
In the Liga de Ascenso, Marco Vidal came on with the 57th on Friday in Lobos BUAP’s 2-1 home victory over La Piedad, for whom Jesús Padilla went the full 90 minutes.
On Saturday, Sonny Guadarrama also played the full game in Merida’s 1-1 home tie with Estudiantes Tecos.
In Costa Rica, Moises Hernandez made his debut for Deportivo Saprissa in their 2-1 comeback victory against Uruguay on Sunday. The FC Dallas loanee started and completed the full game for his new club.
Finally, in Colombia, Sunday’s game between Kevin Piedrahita’s Itagüi and Cúcuta Deportivo was called off due to bad weather and will be rescheduled.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
