Week Two (or Jornada 2) in the Mexican Apertura 2008 is upon us. Several of our America-born players have already seen action in both la Primera and Primera A but others have yet to debut and won't debut this weekend either.
Here is a preview of the Mexican-Americans down south.
Edgar Castillo, Santos vs Pumas, Sunday 3 p.m. Fresh off a call to the Mexican national team, Castillo will try and show why Sven Goran Eriksson included the New Mexico native in his first-ever list of call-ups. Castillo went the distance in a season-opening 3-2 loss at America and now will face another challenge in Pumas. Daniel Luduena is still recovering from surgery which means Castillo will continue to play as an attacking midfielder for Santos. TV: Azteca America.
Jose Francisco Torres, Pachuca vs. San Luis, Saturday 5 p.m. Torres did not play in last week's season opener against Tigres (a 0-0 draw) but stands a chance to play in this league game. Torres wound up playing most of Tuesday's 2-0 SuperLiga loss to Houston. With nothing but league play for Pachuca to focus on, at least in the next few weeks, los Tuzos midfield might become a battle for playing time since coach Enrique "Ojitos" Meza won't have to worry about saving players for upcoming non-league matches. He might mix-and-match according to opponents but regardless Torres will need to fight for playing time. TV: Azteca America.
Marco Antonio Vidal, Indios at Monterrey, Saturday 3 p.m. Vidal and Indios debuted in the First Division a week ago but fell to Tecos 1-0. A daunting trip to Monterrey looms. Vidal will be given the task of slowing Monterrey's national team midfielder Luis Perez down in the midfield and will likely also match up against Carlos Ochoa - who also got called up by Eriksson - as well Jared Borgetti. Oh, and if that weren't enough, how about Chupete Suazo? Vidal did well for himself a week ago, as well as you could expect. He should be a lock to play week in and week out for Indios, even if clubs like Monterrey give them a solid thumping. TV: Galavision.
Sonny Guadarrama, Morelia vs. Atlante, Sunday 1 p.m. Guadarrama did not play in Morelia's season opener against San Luis. Before Guadarrama earns a start, he needs to hope for an appearance off the bench, injuries or suspensions. Newcomer Hugo Droguett is suspended for the match as well as Maurico Romero, but Guadarrama doesn't fit into either role. TV: Azteca America.
Daniel Hernandez, Jaguares vs. Tigres, Saturday 3 p.m. Hernandez won't play in this game. He's suspended. But you can watch how bad Jaguares are without him and the other five suspended players. TV: Azteca America.
Michael Orozco, San Luis at Pachuca, Saturday 5 p.m. Orozco is off with the US Olympic team and won't return for several more weeks. San Luis allowed two goals last week without him. Expect the goal tally to continue to rise. TV: Azteca America.
Jesus Padilla and Carlos Borja, Tapatio vs. Salamanca, Sunday 10 a.m. Jesus Padilla scores the goals, but Omar Arellano gets the glory. Padilla's goals, of course, come against second-division competition. Arellano's have come with the first club and as such he gets noticed. Arellano got called up to the senior side while Padilla will test his fate against Salamanca. Borja meanwhile will have the chance to start his second consecutive match for Tapatio. Borja played all 90 minutes a week ago after making his season debut as a late-game substitute in the season opener.
Sammy Ochoa, Tecos vs. Dorados, 4 p.m. Ochoa will serve a suspension this week and will not play. It's the second of a three-match ban.
Noel Castillo, Indios. Castillo won't play as well, but neither will Indios. They've got a bye week.
No comments:
Post a Comment