GUADALAJARA, Mexico – DaMarcus Beasley’s Puebla failed to ease their relegation pressure on Sunday, falling 1-0 at home to Club América, with the US international playing the full game.
Beasley was Puebla’s most consistent source of danger in a largely defensive performance, featuring at left wing back, covering a lot of ground on the flank and sending in crosses that striker Carlos Sánchez failed to convert.
Michael Orozco Fiscal missed the game through injury.
In the Clausura 2014 table, Puebla remain in last place, but in the relegation table they are still six points ahead of Atlante with two rounds of matches remaining. Los Potros could reduce that gap if they pick up points in their match against Santos Laguna on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, Pasadena, Calif., native Dennis Flores made his first Liga MX start for León, going 70 minutes in their 2-1 loss away at Toluca.
The 20-year-old central midfielder went close with a shot from inside the area in the 54th minute and then set up Nelson Maz with a cross in the 18th.
In Saturday action, Joe Corona played 66 minutes and Edgar Castillo went the full 90 for Tijuana in their 1-1 tie with Tigres UANL at Estadio Universitario.
Corona's cross in the 59th minute gifted Darío Benedetto a golden opportunity, but his header went wide of the left post.
Paul Arriola came on for Xolos in the final 10 minutes, with Greg Garza and Alejandro Guido left on the bench.
For Tigres, Jose Torres missed out through suspension after picking up a red card last weekend.
The result keeps Xolos in playoff positioning, with Tigres just two points off the final playoff place.
In the Ascenso MX, Ventura Alvarado and Sonny Guadarrama both started for Nexaca in their 1-0 loss on the road to Alebrijes de Oaxaca on Saturday.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him attom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
