GUADALAJARA, Mexico – One name unlikely to be considered by Jurgen Klinsmann for US national team matches next week against Colombia and the Republic of Ireland is Puebla defender Michael Orozco.
The 28-year-old was carted off in the 68th minute of Puebla's 0-0 tie on the road to León in Liga MX with what looked like a calf injury. Coach José Luis “Chelís” Sánchez Solá suggested Orozco had a torn muscle in the post match press conference, but the club has given no official diagnosis as of yet.
Edgar Castillo’s Atlas remains in the Copa Libertadores chase, while Greg Garza’s Club Tijuana can no longer make the Liga MX playoffs, following a 1-1 tie between the two sides on Saturday at the Estadio Jalisco.
Castillo didn’t put in one of his best displays, but improved later in the game when Atlas were pushing forward in search of the equalizer.
Xolos coach Daniel Guzmán admitted in the press conference after the game that he played two full backs on the right flank – Israel Jiménez and Juan Carlos Nuñez – to try to quell Castillo’s attacking threat.
Garza, who replaced Castillo as the starting left back at Xolos this season, had a quiet but solid evening in his 14th start of the season, a game that Tijuana had multiple opportunities to put away before Atlas leveled late.
In the second division playoff quarterfinals, goalkeeper Austin Guerrero helped Altamira to a 2-1 win away on Saturday against Correcaminos to send it through to the semifinals, while Marco Vidal’s Mineros de Zacatecas drew 1-1 with Lobos BUAP and are also into the last four.
Sonny Guadarrama’s Atlante, however, ended its season with a 2-0 loss on the road to Necaxa, with the American coming on for the final 30 minutes.
Tom Marshall covers Americans based in Mexico for MLSsoccer.com.
