GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Jose Torres’ Clausura season came to an abrupt end Saturday evening, when his Tigres side could only draw 1-1 at home against city rivals Monterrey and bowed out of the playoffs at the quarterfinal stage, 2-1 on aggregate.
Torres’ participation from the start was in doubt after he was subbed out in the first half during the first leg last Wednesday – which ended 1-0 to Monterrey – but coach Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti kept faith with the Texan midfielder.
Torres played in his usual central midfield position alongside Carlos Salcido and helped Tigres get off to a good start. Danilinho opened the scoring in the 13th, before Israel Jimenez sliced the ball over ‘keeper Enrique Palos and into his own net in a bizarre own goal to equalize for Monterrey.
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The 25-year-old Torres had a decent chance in the 27th when a the ball was laid off to him on the edge of the area, but his fiercely struck left-footed shot went wide of the left post. He was brought off in the 54th minute.
Tigres had finished the regular season in first place and were many pundits’ favorite to lift the Liga MX title.
For Rayados, El Paso, Texas native Alonso Hernandez continued racking up minutes in the first team after he was introduced for the last five minutes of the Clasico Regio.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. Contact him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
