GUADALAJARA, Mexico – A pair of Americans were involved in Mexican cup action on Wednesday.
José Francisco Torres was in regal form in Pachuca's 3-0 victory over Universidad de Guadalajara, capping his performance off by curling a left foot freekick from 25 yards over the wall and into the right corner of the goal in the last minute of the game. It was his first goal in over two years for Pachuca.
Torres was named captain and had a large hand in the Tuzos' dominating midfield performance against the second-division team. He almost added more goals, hitting the post twice in the first half. Torres' first effort came in the 21st minute and was almost a golazo. His left foot corner flew over everybody and rebounded off the far post. Six minutes later he saw a shot from the edge of the area strike the other post.
In Liga MX play, Torres was sent off against Atlas last Saturday and will serve his one match suspension against Querétaro last weekend. In all likelihood, he will then join Jurgen Klinsmann's US squad to take on Mexico in the Estadio Azteca on August 15.
Over in Puebla, DaMarcus Beasley was a surprise starter as home side continued its abysmal start to the season with a 2-0 home defeat in the Copa MX to second-division side Irapuato.
Beasley was brought off at halftime after a quiet first 45 minutes, most likely with one eye on Friday's visit to Santos Laguna.
Puebla have lost all four of their games this season.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
