GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Just days before the first World Cup qualifier of 2013, Americans are set to feature in the Liga MX’s top-of-the-table clash.
Jose Torres’ Tigres UANL (above) host Club Tijuana and their Yank duo of Joe Corona and Edgar Castillo on Saturday, with both teams duking it out for first position in the fifth round of matches this Clausura season (8 pm ET, UniMás).
Both sides have won all four of their games so far this season and have been the outstanding teams in the Liga MX. Something has to give. Torres praised the solidity of the Xolos in the press this week, but added, “They should also worry about us.”
Before likely joining up with the US squad to travel to Honduras midweek, Herculez Gomez and his Santos Laguna side face a tough trip Sunday to the CU to confront Pumas UNAM (1 pm ET, Univision).
DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco Fiscal may be outsiders to join Gomez with the US squad, but they’ll be eager to use their last chance to impress when Puebla host Morelia (Sunday, 1 pm ET, Azteca America, ESPN Deportes).
Down in Mexico’s second division, Marco Vidal’s Lobos BUAP receive Jesus Padilla’s La Piedad (Friday, 5 pm ET). Also in action is Sonny Guadarrama’s Merida, who take on Estudiantes Tecos on Saturday evening (8 pm ET).
There’s also action this weekend further south in Colombia, with Kevin Piedrahita hoping to get the nod to start in goal for Itagüí when they kick off their season at home against Cúcuta Deportivo in the Liga Postobón on Sunday (3:15 pm ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. Contact him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
