GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Edgar Castillo and his Atlas side took a positive step to the Apertura 2014 semifinals on Thursday.
A two-time Liga MX winner, Castillo went 90 minutes as Los Rojinegros defeated Monterrey 1-0 in the Estadio Tecnológico in the quarterfinal first leg. The American continued his streak of playing every single minute of every game this season in a more defensive performance at left back than we are accustomed to seeing from him.
Castillo struggled in containing right midfielder César Delgado and was passed down Monterrey’s right twice in the first 16 minutes, but he recuperated afterward and was dangerous when he did go forward.
Paraguayan Luis Caballero scored Atlas’ only goal in the 35th minute with a strike from almost 30 yards, after Humberto Suazo had fired a penalty over the bar in the 22nd minute.
The second leg of the quarterfinal will take place Sunday in the Estadio Jalisco (7 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
Tom Marshall covers Americans based in Mexico for MLSsoccer.com.
