GUADALAJARA, Mexico — It's back to domestic action for America's foreign legion in Latin America, with a full schedule of games on the continent this weekend.
Arguably the most crucial game involving a Yank is on Saturday, when Jose Torres' Pachuca host Monterrey in the Estadio Hidalgo (8 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
After heavy investment during preseason, Hugo Sánchez's players really are in last-chance saloon if they want to make the playoffs and need the three points against the reigning CONCACAF Champions League holders. Torres is line for a starting spot.
Another team needing a minor miracle to get into that liguilla is DaMarcus Beasley's Puebla. They play Jaguares in the first game in the Liga MX this weekend on Friday (8:30 pm ET, Azteca America). Beasley is set to feature after recovering from a torn cartilage in his ribs that ruled him out before the international break.
Straight after, two Americans are likely to feature for Club Tijuana as they seek to extend their lead at the summit of the league against Cruz Azul (10:30 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
Joe Corona is back from national team duty, while Greg Garza is set to deputize for Edgar Castillo, who will miss the game because of that foot injury sustained while with the US.
San Luis and Michael Orozco Fiscal travel to Guadalajara to face Atlas Saturday evening in a relegation battle (10 pm ET, Univision Deportes 2).
On Sunday, Herculez Gomez and Santos Laguna go to Toluca looking for three points to move them higher into the playoff places (1 pm ET, Univision).
In the final game of the weekend in the Liga MX, Jesus Padilla could play a part for Chivas away at Atlante, for whom Sonny Guadarrama could feature (7 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
In the Ascenso MX, Marco Vidal's Lobos BUAP play early on Friday against Pumas Morelos (5 pm ET), while Isaac Acuña should be back for Mérida's trip to Cruz Azul Hidalgo (Sunday, 1 pm ET).
In El Salvador, recent Águila signing and former US youth international Marlon Duran could be in line for minutes away against Once Municipal (Sunday, 5 pm ET), while goalkeeper Derby Carrillo is set to start for Santa Tecla away at Firpo (Saturday, 9 pm ET).
In Guatemala, Moises Hernandez is available for high-flying Comunicaciones, who travel to Halcones on Sunday (2 pm ET).
Finally, in Bolivia, Alejandro Melean is back with Oriente Petrolero on Sunday to face Universitario (4 pm ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com
