GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Fresh off a victory against the LA Galaxy in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, Club Tijuana host DaMarcus Beasley's and Michael Orozco Fiscal’s Puebla on Friday at Estadio Caliente (11:30 pm ET, Azteca America).
Xolos coach César Farías will decide between in-form Greg Garza or usual first-choice left back Edgar Castillo and it could have consequences for the US national team with the World Cup creeping up.
Joe Corona, Paul Arriola, Herculez Gomez and Alejandro Guido could all potentially feature for Tijuana, one point off a playoff spot going into the 12th round of matches of the Clausura 2014.
Puebla’s playoff chances are slipping away – La Franja are five points off Morelia in eighth – and the club could be engaged in the relegation race if they can’t pick up points soon.
On Saturday, Jose Torres’ Tigres UANL are on the rise after a slow start to the season and will be heavy favorites when crisis-ridden Querétaro come to Monterrey (9 pm ET, UniMas).
At the same time on Saturday, Gabriel Farfan and his Chiapas side are at Pachuca, with a win possibly moving the them into the playoffs if other results fall their way (9 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
In Sunday’s last match, Jonathan Bornstein’s Atlante need a result against Toluca with relegation an increasingly likely scenario (7 pm ET, Univision Deportes).
In the Ascenso MX, Sonny Guadarrama's and Ventura Alvarado’s Necaxa could move into first place if they can defeat current leaders Correcaminos on Friday (10 pm ET).
Jose Villarreal’s Cruz Azul Hidalgo are at Merida on Sunday (2 pm ET) while on Friday, Marco Vidal's and Daniel Cuevas’ Lobos BUAP are at home to Universidad de Guadalajara (7 pm ET).
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
