GUADALAJARA, Mexico — DaMarcus Beasley scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal as Puebla ended Pumas UNAM’s unbeaten run in the Apertura 2011, taking a 2-1 home victory on Sunday in Mexican Primera División action.
The three-time World Cup veteran Beasley talked to the local press during the week and spoke about how desperate he was to score a goal for Puebla.
In the 24th minute of the game, the first goal of Beasley’s nascent career in Mexico came as he leapt high and met a right wing cross with a firm header that gave the keeper no chance. The 29-year-old celebrated by performing a seemingly pre-planned dance with teammates.
Beasley has now started every game for Puebla this season and is adapting to playing in a deeper left midfield role with more defensive responsibility than he is used to, he said last week.
Club América’s Edgar Castillo has been in and out of the starting 11 this season and started from the bench on Sunday against Atlas.
The 24-year-old New Mexico native came on in the 51st minute and helped América move from being 2-1 down to a 5-2 win. Californian club-mate Isaac Acuña is suspended for one week by the club for indiscipline and played no part.
Mexico’s Copa América squad member Miguel Ángel Ponce, who was born and went to high school in Sacramento, Calif., played in Guadalajara’s 2-1 win at home against Monterrey on Saturday, which sent them top of the Primera División.
There was no such joy for Joe Corona and his Tijuana side on Saturday, which again took the lead in a game only to lose. Corona played 65 minutes in the 2-1 loss in Mexico City against Cruz Azul.
Herculez Gomez scored a last minute winner on Friday night as Estudiantes Tecos got a vital three points in their struggle to avoid relegation against José Francisco Torres’ Pachuca. Gomez came off the bench for the last 20 minutes and Torres started but was subbed off in the 67th after a bright display.
Defender Michael Orozco FIscal was back from suspension for San Luis’ game away at Tigres UANL on Saturday, but was only on the bench for the start of the match. Orozco, 25, came on in the 67th minute but San Luis fell 1-0 against unbeaten Tigres. Jonathan Bornstein did not participate for Tigres as Mexican international Carlos Salcido made his debut at left back.
It was better news for Sonny Guadarrama, who played his first 28 minutes of first-team soccer this season for Atlante against Toluca on Sunday. The 24-year-old midfielder had played a couple of games for Atlante’s Under-20 team. Toluca won the match 2-1.
In the Under-20 game between Santos and Morelia, California native Ernest Nungaray played a full 90 minutes. Later on Saturday, the first-team game between the two clubs was suspended in the 40th minute due to a gunfight breaking out just outside the stadium.
In the Nou Camp — the one in León, Guanajuato — Marco Vidal went the distance for home team Club León in their 2-2 tie with Neza in the Liga de Ascenso.
Tom Marshall can be reached at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com or via Twitter: @mexicoworldcup
