GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Five Americans took to the field in games south of the border on Tuesday, with mixed results.
Jonathan Bornstein started his first game since Feb. 2 for Tigres UANL and went an hour in the 1-1 draw against Real Estelí in Nicaragua in the Group 6 of the CONCACAF Champions League.
It wasn't the best of nights for Bornstein, who lost his marker for Real Estelí's opening goal, leaving a relatively easy header for Juan Barrera to open the scoring from a corner in the 53rd. Bornstein was hauled off three minutes later.
The point means Tigres will qualify for the CCL quarterfinals if they beat Costa Rica's Alajuelense in the Estadio Universitario on Oct. 25.
Texan winger Victor Garza was left on the bench for Tigres.
In Group 6 of the Copa MX, Sonny Guadarrama continued his fine start to the season with a goal and an assist as Mérida comfortably put Celaya to the sword 3-0.
Guadarrama clinically lifted the ball over the advancing 'keeper after being put through on goal for his team's second goal in the 40th. It was no surprise the Texan should come up with the confident finish. That was his sixth goal in 12 appearances this season.
Isaac Acuña also started for the Venados and went 60 minutes.
The result means Club Tijuana need to win on Wednesday night against Pumas UNAM in the Estadio Caliente to advance from Group 6. Any other result means Mérida go through, with Americans Greg Garza and perhaps Alejandro Guido likely to get minutes for the Xolos.
For Veracruz, striker Adrian Ruelas started his third game in the Copa MX and went 66 minutes, but his team fell 3-0 away against Correcaminos and is now out of the competition.
Finally, it was a big night for Lobos BUAP against Irapuato and midfielder Marco Vidal was played from the start. The Puebla-based outfit needed three points to have a fighting chance of qualification from Group 7, but it wasn't to be as Irapuato won the game 2-1.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
