GUADALAJARA, Mexico – After a long trip south to Honduras midweek in the CONCACAF Champions League, it’s back to domestic business for Club Tijuana with a tricky tie at Estadio Caliente against Santos Laguna (Friday, 10:30 pm ET, ESPN Deportes, Azteca America).
Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona look like certain starters for the match after remaining on the bench for the majority of Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Victoria, while Paul Arriola must be making coach Jorge Almirón think long and hard about whether he should be in the initial XI against Los Guerreros.
Also in the frame for minutes is left back Greg Garza, with Herculez Gomez set to miss out on a clash vs. his former club through injury.
On Saturday evening, Jose Torres and Tigres UANL host Chiapas at Estadio Universitario with a win a priority if the team isn’t to begin to fall behind the playoff places (8 pm ET, UniMas).
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Also Saturday, Monterrey travel to León, with forward Alonso Hernandez hoping to build on his appearance in the Copa MX midweek (9 pm ET, Telemundo).
DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco Fiscal are set to feature for Puebla at home against Cruz Azul on Sunday, with Los Poblanos riding on a mini-wave of confidence following last weekend’s victory over Chivas (1 pm ET, Azteca America).
In the Ascenso MX, Necaxa (Sonny Guadarrama, Ventura Alvarado) travel to Estudiantes Tecos (Friday, 8 pm ET), with Jesus Padilla’s Dorados taking on Alebrijes de Oaxaca on Saturday (9 pm ET) and Marco Vidal’s Lobos BUAP in action against Celaya (Saturday, 9 pm ET).
Down in Brazil, Freddy Adu’s Bahia – who lay mid-table in the Brasileirão – play at home against last-place Nautico (Sunday, 3 pm ET).
In Costa Rica, FC Dallas loanee Moises Hernandez and Saprissa play at Limón (Saturday, 5 pm ET) while, in Guatemala, former LA Galaxy Academy product Jeffrey Payeras and Municipal host Coatepeque (Sunday, 1 pm ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
