GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Barring a winter transfer, there will be an American presence in the Copa Libertadores next year.
Edgar Castillo will return to the continental competition in which he excelled in 2013 for Tijuana, following Atlas’ 2-1 win over Club América on Saturday at the Estadio Azteca.
The 28-year-old was a constant attacking threat from his left back position against his former club and completed the Apertura 2014 having playing every single minute of Atlas’ 17 games.
The victory for Los Rojinegros moved them into third place in the table and it set up a playoff quarterfinal series against Monterrey. Las Aguilas will face Mexico City rival Pumas in the liguilla.
For Club América, Phoenix, Arizona native Ventura Alvarado started his first Liga MX match and put in a solid performance at right back, although a report in Mexico indicates he has previously rejected calls to join US national teams in order to play one day for El Tri.
Jose Torres and Herculez Gomez are also set to be involved in the Libertadores next year, with the 2-1 win over Toluca in Estadio Universitario lifting the Monterrey club to second in the Liga MX table.
Torres went the full 90 minutes in the center of midfield, while Gomez came on for the last 10 minutes as Tigres searched for the winner which eventually came from Damian Alvarez in the 91st minute.
Tigres’ victory sets up a tie against Pachuca in the playoffs in what is the most attractive series of the four playoff match-ups.
Michael Orozco was not in Puebla’s 18-man roster for its 3-3 home tie against Santos Laguna, also on Saturday.
The Liga MX quarterfinal first legs are scheduled to be played on Wednesday and Thursday evening.
Tom Marshall covers Americans based in Mexico for MLSsoccer.com.
