GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Jose Torres and his Tigres UANL side had a memorable playoff victory over defending Liga MX champions Club América in their grasp on Sunday, but were unable to hold on for a vital win in front of 40,000 home fans at Estadio Universitario the first leg of the two teams' Apertura 2013 quarterfinal matchup.
The Texan came off the bench in the 50th minute, entering for winger Danilinho, as Tigres coach Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti attempted to hold onto a 2-1 lead.
Torres played in central midfield, neatly setting up a chance for his team with a backheel in the 73rd minute, but Las Águilas looked more likely to score and did so through Colombian defender Aquivaldo Mosquera one minute from the end. The two teams will meet at Estadio Azteca in the return leg on Dec. 1.
Jonathan Bornstein wasn’t in Tigres’ 18-man matchday squad.
In Mexico’s second division, Sonny Guadarrama scored from the penalty spot in the 55th minute in Necaxa’s 3-0 victory over Delfines del Carmen on Saturday to confirm Los Rayos’ place in the final of the Ascenso MX Apertura.
Guadarrama and defender Alvarado Ventura’s side will take on Universidad de Guadalajara on Wednesday at Estadio Jalisco in the first leg of the final.
In the U-20 tournament, Club Tijuana crashed out at the semifinal stage, with Stevie Rodriguez going 90 minutes and Alejandro Guido playing 33 minutes as Xolos lost 2-0 at León on Saturday.
Meeting Los Panzas Verdes will be Benji Joya and Daniel Cuevas’ Santos Laguna side, who overcame Chivas 1-0 on Sunday at Estadio Omnilife, although neither of the Americans saw playing time.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
