GUADALAJARA, Mexico – This weekend offers a few can’t-miss matches in Mexico for US national team fans keeping track of potential call-ups ahead of September's crucial qualifying matches against Jamaica.
José Torres is reported to be fit to return for Pachuca against Herculez Gomez's Santos Laguna after missing out last weekend due to a groin strain (Saturday, 8 pm ET, TeleFutura).
It's a vital match for both teams, with pressure mounting on Tuzos coach Hugo Sánchez after a lackluster start to the season while the Guerreros are stuck on three games without a league win.
Fast forward to Sunday and DaMarcus Beasley's Puebla host Michael Orozco Fiscal's San Luis, with both teams absolutely desperate for points (1 pm ET, Azteca America, ESPN Deportes). Neither side has recorded a win after five rounds of matches in the Apertura championship.
There's also a return to the Estadio Azteca on Saturday for Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona, who travel with their Club Tijuana side to face Club América, just 10 days after helping the United States to a memorable victory against Mexico (6 pm ET, Univision).
Greg Garza will also be in contention for the Xolos, as will Jesús Padilla for Chivas vs. Monterrey (Sunday, 6 pm ET, Telemundo), but Jonathan Bornstein will miss Tigres UANL's game against Toluca through injury (8 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
In Mexico's second division, Marco Vidal is set to feature for Lobos BUAP against Adrian Ruelas' Veracruz (Friday, 5 pm ET). On Saturday, Sonny Guadarrama, Isaac Acuña and the rest of Mérida face Neza (7 pm ET).
Further south, Jimmy Maurer's Universidad de Concepción host La Serena in Chile's top division, with the goalkeeper holding an outside chance of a start (Friday, 8 pm ET).
In El Salvador, Derby Carrillo is likely to start for first-division side Santa Tecla in their away match against Águila (9 pm ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
