GUADALAJARA, Mexico – There was plenty of action for Americans south of the border this weekend, including a pair of Yanks taking their regular place for Tijuana.
Edgar Castillo went 90 minutes for Club Tijuana in their 1-1 draw with Atlas on Saturday. The left winger (above, right) almost got an assist when he drove in a cross from the touchline, from which the resulting header was saved by Atlas 'keeper Miguel Pinto.
Joe Corona also started for the Xolos and played 69 minutes, while Greg Garza wasn't in the Tijuana squad.
It was also an unforgettable Saturday for US U-20 international Benji Joya. The 19-year-old winger was given his Liga MX debut, coming off the bench in the 54th minute in Santos Laguna's 0-0 draw with Jaguares as Benjamín Galindo searched for a goal.
Joya's most eye-catching contribution was a shot from distance in the 67th minute that went just wide of the Jaguares goal. The San Jose, Calif., native impressed in the Guerreros’ friendly against Chicago Fire earlier this month, scoring a goal, and seems to have caught Galindo's eye.
In the same game on Saturday, Herculez Gomez was only given four minutes to try to break the deadlock. The reigning Mexican champions currently sit outside the playoff positions in 10th.
Also struggling are DaMarcus Beasley's Puebla, who probably needed more than a 1-1 draw against León on Friday. Beasley completed the full game though and set up Puebla's equalizer, winning the ball outside the penalty area and laying off a pass for Matias Abelairas to score.
Michael Orozco Fiscal's San Luis got one over on José Torres' Pachuca on Saturday, with a single goal handing the win to San Luis. Orozco Fiscal played only the last nine minutes, while Torres went 68 minutes before being hauled off to make way for a striker as his team searched for an equalizer.
In Mexico's second division, Marco Vidal played the full 90 for Lobos BUAP in their 2-0 victory over Altamira on Friday.
Sonny Guadarrama received a second yellow card and was sent off for Mérida in the 24th during the club's 3-0 loss against Dorados de Sinaloa. Fellow American Isaac Acuña came off the bench for the last 15 minutes.
In El Salvador, goalkeeper Derby Carrillo was named player of the game by commentators for Santa Tecla in his team's 1-1 draw against Isidro Metapán.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
