GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Club América defender Ventura Alvarado faces another big game this weekend, as his team makes the short trip across Mexico City to the Estadio Olímpico Universitario to play Pumas on Sunday (1 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
Alvarado, the uncapped Mexico and US dual national, appears to have won a starting spot under new coach Gustavo Matosas, who may well field the Phoenix, Ariz., native on the right of a back three, following last weekend’s successful experiment with the system when América defeated Chiapas 5-0.
Kicking off the 7th round of matches in the Clausura 2015 will be Herculez Gomez and Michael Orozco’s Puebla, who could make it two wins in two matches when they play last-placed Morelia in Estadio Morelos on Friday (8:30 pm ET, ESPN Deportes, Azteca America).
A win would send Puebla level on points with Chivas in the relegation table, at least until the latter play Cruz Azul on Saturday.
Later Friday, Edgar Castillo travels to his former side Santos Laguna with his current team Atlas, with both currently in playoff positions (10:30 pm ET, Azteca America).
Gabriel Farfan could be in the running for Chiapas’ home match on Saturday against Tigres after his midweek goal in the Copa MX, while Jonathan Bornstein is also back to full fitness and could be involved for Querétaro on the road at Monterrey (Sat, 8 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
In the final game of the weekend in the Liga MX, Club Tijuana are in action away to Leones Negros, with Greg Garza and Joe Corona both potential starters for Xolos and Jesus Vazquez an outside shot for the home team (6 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
In Mexico’s second division, Marco Vidal’s Mineros de Zacatecas play host to Irapuato on Friday (8:30 pm ET), with Austin Guerrero’s Altamira on the road to Correcaminos the same day (9:30 pm ET).
On Saturday, Stevie Rodriguez’s Dorados de Sinaloa play Necaxa (6 pm ET), Juan Pablo Ocegueda’s Alebrijes face Zacatepec (7 pm ET) and Sonny Guadarrama’s Atlante is away at San Luis (8 pm ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans based in Mexico on MLSsoccer.com.
