GUADALAJARA, Mexico – It has been a long wait, but Jonathan Bornstein could finally be in line for some playing time for Tigres UANL's first team when they take on Unión Española in Chile on Wednesday in the qualifying round of the Copa Libertadores (4:30 pm ET, Fox Deportes).
The left back was named in the club's 25-man squad for the two-leg tie, with the majority of the usual first 11 resting back in Monterrey ahead of the club's weekend game against Estudiantes Tecos.
Local reports from Monterrey-based journalists suggest that 27-year-old Bornstein could start the Libertadores game in a defensive midfield role.
Nineteen-year-old Texan Victor Garza is also in Chile as part of the squad and hoping to make his first-team debut on the wing. Similarly, 18-year-old left back Juan Pablo Ocegueda, who hails from Orange, Calif., will be looking for his first official minutes as a professional. Ocegueda played with the US Under-20 squad earlier this month.
An added blessing for US national team fans is that Ocegueda's call to the Copa Libertadores squad means the youngster won't join up with Mexico’s U-20 side, for which he was called for a camp that is currently taking place in Mexico City.
If Tigres get past the Chilean side, they will be in Group C of the Copa alongside Bolívar de La Paz, Junior de Barranquilla and Universidad Católica, potentially providing more first-team opportunities for Tigres' American contingent.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America. He can be reached via tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
