GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Michael Orozco sent a sublime long pass for Matías Alustiza to head in Puebla’s equalizing goal in their 1-1 draw with Monterrey at Estadio Cuauhtémoc on Sunday.
Orozco played the ball from inside his own half and split the defense, leaving Alustiza to loop the ball over goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco first time in the 37th minute. The former Philadelphia Union man played at center back and almost scored himself in the 19th, when he shot against crossbar from close range and sent the rebound into goalkeeper’s hands.
Orozco went the full 90 minutes, while DaMarcus Beasley was substituted off in the 76th after a quiet performance at left wingback.
Beasley made a strong tackle two minutes before halftime while Monterrey were mounting a dangerous attack, but the US international’s best moment came in the 75th when he stole the ball, charged to the byline and crossed, although the Monterrey defense scrambled the ball away.
Elsewhere in the Liga MX, it was a quiet weekend for Americans – except for Club Tijuana, who scored a historic win over Club América on Friday.
Jose Villarreal and Michael Farfan didn’t feature in the Cruz Azul squad for their 2-1 win over Santos Laguna on Saturday.
Jonathan Bornstein wasn't in Atlante's roster for their 2-1 loss at Veracruz on Saturday, a result which means relegation is increasingly likely for Los Potros, who fired coach Rubén Israel after the game.
Tigres UANL's Jose Torres did at least make the bench, but didn’t see any playing time in his team’s dour 0-0 draw with Pachuca at Estadio Universitario on Saturday.
There was more action in the Ascenso MX, with goalkeeper Austin Guerrero going 90 minutes for Altamira in their 1-1 home draw with Atlético San Luis, while Jesus Padilla played the full game in Ballenas’ 2-1 win over his former club, Dorados de Sinaloa.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. Contact him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
