GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Tigres lost 2-1 to Irapuato on Wednesday in the Copa MX, with Herculez Gomez and Jose Torres both going 90 minutes.
On his most productive play of the game, Torres sent in a cross from the left in the 75th minute that Genaro Castillo headed over the goal, while Gomez had a quiet night up front. It was another US citizen, Las Vegas-born Ricardo Bocanegra, who secured the points for Irapuato with a sweetly-struck volley from outside the penalty area in the 71st minute.
The loss leaves Tigres’ participation in the knockout rounds on the line, with the Monterrey club in second place in Group 1, one point behind Querétaro with two matches between the two Liga MX sides still to play. Only the seven group winners and one runner-up advance to the quarterfinals.
Elsewhere Wednesday, US U-23 international Juan Pablo Ocegueda went 45 minutes in Alebrijes de Oaxaca’s 2-0 win over Chiapas to move them top of Group 7, while Emanuel Guzman played 52 minutes in Mérida’s 2-1 win against Pumas in Ciudad Universitaria in Group 6 to extend Mérida’s lead to four points.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
