GUADALAJARA, Mexico – The prospect of an American presence in the Liga MX postseason is increasingly unlikely after Puebla fell 3-1 to a Club América side missing seven regular starters at Estadio Azteca on Saturday.
DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco Fiscal both went 90 minutes for La Franja, who now need to win their last two matches against Pachuca and Morelia and hope other results fall their way to have any hope of entering the liguilla.
Beasley played in a left wing back role, breaking into the box in the 18th in a rare burst forward, but wasn’t involved in the attacking third as much as he would’ve like, especially with Puebla having the majority of possession.
In the 54th, the 31-year-old US international was slightly fortunate to not give a penalty away, when TV replays showed he was pulling at Colombian Luis Gabriel Rey when he fell to the floor inside the box.
Orozco Fiscal (above) featured on the right side of the three center backs and was given license to roam forward as Puebla chased the game.
The Californian probably should have done better from a header that America’s ‘keeper Hugo González easily saved in the 24th, but didn’t dwell and was back helping to cut out Las Aguilas’ counterattack 30 seconds later.
Only two weeks of matches remain in the Liga MX Apertura regular season.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com.
