GUADALAJARA, Mexico – It wasn’t pretty and it got intense at the end, but American duo Jose Torres and Herculez Gomez’s Tigres qualified for the Liga MX Apertura final on Sunday.
Torres completed the full game in midfield as Tigres tied 0-0 against Toluca in Estadio Universitario, with the Monterrey side going through after the 0-0 aggregate score over the two legs due to their higher position in the regular season table.
The Texan started the match tentatively and gave the ball away regularly in the first 20 minutes, before settling down and helping Tigres control the midfield in a tight battle that spawned few real chances.
Gomez came off the bench in the 83rd minute and picked up a yellow card three minutes later, seemingly for arguing with the officials. The 32-year-old held the ball up well and was a nuisance as Toluca attempted to ball the play out of defense in search of a winner.
Both Americans will be aiming for their second Liga MX titles against Club América next week, with Phoenix, Ariz. native Ventura Alvarado also in line to feature.
Alvarado once agains started for Las Aguilas in the semi second leg against Monterrey, with the home side drawing 0-0 on the night and winning 3-0 on aggregate.
The 22-year-old filled in at right back for Paul Aguilar and was comfortable as América cruised through to the final.
Alvarado was one of América’s brightest players down the right flank in just his third Liga MX start.
Mexico’s first division final first leg is scheduled for Thursday in Estadio Universitario, with the return likely to be next Sunday in the Estadio Azteca, although the league will confirm the times and venues on Monday.
In Mexico’s Under-20s league, Club Tijuana couldn’t overcome Chivas in Guadalajara on Sunday, losing 4-1 on the day and 6-2 over the two legs.
Paul Arriola netted for Xolos with a clinical finish over the ‘keeper, while midfielder Alejandro Guido played 45 minutes, left back John Requejo went 90 and center back Raul Rodriguez also completed the full match.
