GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Everything may be going exceptionally well for Club Tijuana in the Copa Libertadores, but in the Liga MX, the Xolos are desperate for a win.
After falling to eighth and without a win in five games, Tijuana's Yank trio of Edgar Castillo, Joe Corona and Greg Garza will be looking to pick up points at Cruz Azul on Saturday (6 pm ET, ESPN2) to keep the fight going on both the domestic and continental fronts.
Corona and Castillo were both rested for Wednesday’s 1-0 win and are in line to start against the newly crowned Copa MX champions, while Garza did feature midweek and will likely be left on the bench.
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On Friday, Seattle Sounders conquerorHerculez Gomez and his Santos Laguna team’s long run of games continue in Estadio Corona against Toluca (8 pm ET, Univision Deportes). A victory would almost guarantee the Guerreros a place in the Liga MX playoffs and could give coach Pedro Caixinha an opportunity to rest players in future games, with one eye on the CONCACAF Champions League finals against Monterrey.
Jose Torres and his Tigres UANL side can mathematically confirm their place in the postseason with a draw at Pumas UNAM on Sunday (1 pm ET, Univision). Tigres will also equal a league record of 14 games undefeated at the start of the season if they can avoid a loss.
Time is running out for Puebla. With just four games left, a win is a necessity against Jaguares on Sunday (1 pm ET, Azteca America, ESPN Deportes), with DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco Fiscal both set to start.
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Down in the Ascenso MX, Marco Vidal’s Lobos BUAP host Sonny Guadarrama’s Mérida on Friday (5 pm ET). Lobos are already guaranteed a playoff spot and sit in third position, while Mérida need to win both their remaining two regular-season games to have a hope of making the postseason.
In Costa Rica, it's a big weekend for FC Dallas loanee Moises Hernandez. His Saprissa side hosts Alajuelense in Costa Rica’s clásico (Sunday, 7 pm ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. Contact him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
