GUADALAJARA, Mexico – He may not have made last year’s World Cup, but Edgar Castillo appears to like Brazil.
After helping Atlas Guadalajara to a historic 1-0 victory over Atlético Mineiro in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday, Castillo’s record in Copa Libertadores games in the South American country is 2-0-1. Considering Liga MX teams have only ever won six times in Brazil in the South American tournament, the American’s record isn’t bad at all, and US coach Jurgen Klinsmann was quick to praise the defender after the match.
Castillo was full of confidence at left back, linking up well with Atlas winger Arturo “Poncho” González and getting the better of Atletico Mineiro’s right winger, Luan.
Ahead of the game, one report in the Brazilian press claimed Castillo was once the subject of transfer interest from Atlético Mineiro when former coach Cuca was in charge and he played against the team with Club Tijuana in 2013.
The US international – who has not appeared for the national team in almost a year – is likely to be among the group of Atlas players that stay in South America ahead of next Wednesday’s Libertadores match against Chile’s Colo Colo. If that is the case, he’ll miss Saturday’s Liga MX game against Veracruz.
Also on Wednesday, Ventura Alvarado went 90 minutes for Club América in a 3-0 win in their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg in Costa Rica against Saprissa. Alvarado played nominally on the left side of defense but was given license to roam forward and often got involved in his team’s build-up play.
In the Copa MX, Austin Guerrero completed the match as Altamira tied 2-2 at home to Correcaminos, although Altamira already had no chance of reaching the quarterfinals.
In Group 4, Stevie Rodriguez went 51 minutes in Dorados de Sinaloa’s 4-1 loss at Lobos BUAP, leaving Dorados in second position in the group on 10 points with just one round of games to go.
