GUADALAJARA, Mexico – DaMarcus Beasley couldn’t provide the spark Puebla required as they drew 0-0 on Sunday against Liga MX leaders Veracruz at Estadio Cuauhtémoc.
The US national team legend (above, left) played on the left wing, sending over a dangerous cross in the 11th, but Puebla – who dominated possession – couldn’t break down Veracruz’s defense.
Both Beasley and fellow US international Michael Orozco Fiscal played the full 90 minutes for La Franja, who are yet to win in their first five matches in the Apertura championship. Orozco Fiscal featured at right back for Puebla.
There was better news for Jose Torres, who continued his good form in Tigres UANL’s 3-1 victory over crosstown rivals Monterrey on Saturday.
A long range shot from outside the box in the 76th was the nearest Torres came to scoring, but the Texan was one of Tigres’ best players in the 100th edition of the Clásico Regio, with his exemplary passing standing out.
On Friday, Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona both went 90 minutes as Club Tijuana cruised to a 2-0 victory over Pumas UNAM at Estadio Caliente.
Corona – playing in an attacking central midfield position – went close in the 31st when he attempted an overhead kick and had his best game for Xolos since returning from the Gold Cup.
His USMNT teammate Castillo was electric down the left flank, particularly in the second half, bursting down the center in the 77th from left back in a sweeping move before he was tackled just inside the penalty area.
Greg Garza came on in the 83rd for his fourth league game of the season on the left wing and wasn’t far away from scoring with a back-post header in the 87th. Forward Paul Arriola was an unused substitute for Tijuana, who improved to seven points from their first four games of the Apertura.
In the Ascenso MX, Jesus Padilla played the full game for Dorados de Sinaloa in their 1-1 draw with Delfines on Saturday.
In Costa Rica, Moises Hernandez didn’t feature in Saprissa’s 4-2 win over Pérez Zeledón on Sunday in the opening round of matches of the new season.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. Contact him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
