GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Games in Mexico really don’t get much bigger than Tigres UANL vs. Monterrey and Jose Torres will get his first taste of what it is all about on Saturday night at the Estadio Universitario (8 pm ET, UniMas).
“The Clásico Regio is much more than a game and we have to do everything possible to win it,” the 25-year-old told the press on Thursday.
Tigres are already qualified for the playoffs, but will hold onto first place in the Liga MX and the valuable top seed that comes with it should they pick up the three points. They can also deal a blow to Monterrey's hopes of qualifying for the liguilla.
Herculez Gomez could also see action Saturday with Santos Laguna traveling to Mexico’s capital to face Cruz Azul (6 pm ET, Azteca America), although the American may be rested by coach Pedro Caixinha, with the CONCACAF Champions League final second leg next Wednesday.
READ: Gomez, Santos endure frustrating 0-0 stalemate vs. Monterrey in CCL final first leg
Later Saturday, Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona are both suspended for Club Tijuana’s trip to San Luis (10 pm ET, Univision Deportes), but Greg Garza should be in line to step up at left back. Xolos need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Puebla’s season has turned sour and on Sunday, DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco Fiscal will feature in the Estadio Cuauhtémoc against high-flying Atlas in a game La Franja must tie or win to guarantee survival in the first division (1 pm ET, ESPN3.com). A loss would mean a shoot-out against Querétaro in the last week of the season.
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In the second division, Marco Vidal and Lobos BUAP need to overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of the playoff quarterfinal at home in Saturday’s return game against Neza (7:30 pm ET, GolTV).
In Brazil, Freddy Adu registered another late appearance — this time in the 82nd minute — for Bahia against Bahia de Feira in another 0-0 draw on Wednesday. He will be hoping for more playing time Sunday, when the Tricolor de Aço take on archrivals Vitória away in the Baiano championship (3 pm ET).
In Costa Rica, Moises Hernandez’s Saprissa play on the road at Carmelita (9 pm ET), and over in El Salvador, Derby Carrillo’s Santa Tecla host Isidro Metapán on Sunday (5 pm ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. Contact him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
