GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Club Tijuana face Club América on Friday at Estadio Caliente, with Americans vying for starting spots in new coach César Farías’ first home game (10:30 pm ET, Azteca America).
Joe Corona, Herculez Gomez and Greg Garza all got the nod from the off last weekend against Atlas, but Edgar Castillo and Paul Arriola will be hoping that it’ll be their turn in front of former Xolos coach Antonio Mohamed, who is now in charge of Las Águilas.
Over at Cruz Azul, recent American arrivals from MLS Jose Villarreal (above) and Michael Farfanare all in first-team training, according at MedioTiempo.com report, ahead of Saturday’s home game behind closed doors – a Liga MX punishment due to crowd trouble in the last game of last season – against Santos Laguna (6 pm ET, Univision).
On at the same time, Jonathan Bornstein’s Atlante faces a vital relegation clash against Veracruz, with three points vital if Los Potros are to put pressure on other teams in their bid to avoid the drop (Univision Deportes).
Also Saturday, Jose Torres is available for Tigres UANL, the club confirmed, for their match against his old club, Pachuca (8 pm ET, Univision Deportes), a week after an injury forced him out of last Saturday’s 3-0 loss at América.
DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Orozco Fiscal and Puebla came back to tie Pumas UNAM in stunning fashion last weekend and will welcome a struggling Monterrey side on Sunday (1 pm ET, Azteca America).
In the Ascenso MX, there will be plenty of American talent on display Friday afternoon when Marco Vidal, Daniel Cuevas and Lobos BUAP host Sonny Guadarrama, Ventura Alvarado and Necaxa (6 pm ET).
Altamira goalkeeper Austin Guerrero will be hoping to start his second game of the season against San Luis on Saturday (7 pm ET).
Finally, former Chivas USA forward Jesus Padilla faces his former club, Dorados de Sinaloa, on Saturday (7 pm ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
