GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Jose Torres had his penalty saved and was at fault for a goal as Tigres UANL’s bitter rivals Monterrey advanced to the semifinals of the Copa MX on Wednesday after an epic comeback.
Torres played out of his usual central midfield position at left back and looked relatively comfortable as Tigres went into halftime 2-0 up, but Los Rayados stormed back after the break to tie 2-2 in injury time in front of a full Estadio Tecnológico and won the penalty-kicks shootout 4-2.
The US international was caught out in the 65th minute when his indecision allowed Argentine César Delgado to pounce at the back post and poke the ball home.
In the penalty shootout at the end of full time, the 25-year-old Texan stepped up to take his side’s first kick, but hit a weak shot to the left of the goal, which goalkeeper Juan de Díos Ibarra saved with relative ease.
Tigres had dominated the first half and had numerous chances to put the game out of Monterrey’s reach.
Former Chivas USA and US national team left back Jonathan Bornstein remained on the bench for Tigres, while Alonso Hernandez didn’t dress for Monterrey.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
