Our American legion of futbolistas continue plying their trade south of the border during another busy weekend of action. With just five fixtures left in the Mexican Primera División, teams are now jostling for playoff positions. And down a flight in the Liga de Ascenso, just three weeks remain before the liguilla takes shape. So fire up that grill, grab a hold of some chips and salsa, sit back and tune in.
MEXICAN PRIMERA DIVISIÓN
Estudiantes Tecos (4-6-2) vs. Querétaro (4-6-2)
Americans: Daniel Antúnez, Sammy Ochoa (EST); Isaác Acuña (QUE)
Friday, 9 pm ET, Galavisión
Much is at stake in this game between the evenly matched sides. Should Estudiantes win, they’ll practically secure their stay in the top flight for at least another year; if Querétaro walk out on top, they would take a huge step out of drop-zone danger.
The Owls are on a bit of a hot streak, putting together a four-game unbeaten streak that has them just on the outside of the playoff spots. With things going well for Estudiantes, lineup changes seem improbable, meaning playing time for Antúnez and Ochoa is unlikely.
On the other side of the pitch, los Gallos Blancos, who climbed out of a two-goal hole to snag three points last week, will be boosted by the return of Acuña, who had been out with an injury. The Calexico, Calif., native will be key in Querétaro’s efforts to keep building momentum and improve their abysmal away form (four losses in five road games).
[inlinenode:329986]Pachuca (3-5-4) vs. Jaguares de Chiapas (3-7-2)
Americans: José Francisco Torres, Hérculez Gómez (PAC)
Saturday, 8 pm ET, Galavisión
A much-needed win for a desperate Pachuca last week—their first in six games—has los Tuzos dreaming of a spot in the playoffs. At just four points away from the team currently holding the final qualifying slot, a victory against last-place Jaguares will go a long way. But looks can be deceiving: Jaguares toppled league-leading Pumas last week.
Torres will be back in the center of the pitch acting as Pachuca’s puppeteer while fellow US international Gómez could get minutes off the bench.
Pumas UNAM (7-1-4) vs. Tigres UANL (6-1-5)
American: Jonathan Bornstein (TIG)
Sunday, 1 pm ET, Telemundo
The top cats of the Clausura finally meet, and, except for the title, there’s nothing more that Tigres want than to regain the No. 1 spot they lost to Pumas in Week 7. The Auriazules have put on defensive clinic after defensive clinic, allowing just five goals in 12 games thus far, but how well will it hold up against a Pumas offense eager for a ferocious bounce-back after the team suffered its first loss of the season?
US international left back Bornstein hasn’t seen the pitch for Tigres since Week 6, but the consistent reserve should start the game on the bench again.
Club América (6-6-1) vs. Chivas de Guadalajara (4-2-6)
American: Miguel Ángel Ponce
Sunday, 7 pm ET, Telemundo
Last week, Ponce saw his first action for Chivas since a thigh injury in mid-February sidelined him. But as important as the 18 substitute minutes were for the left back’s confidence, they were just an appetizer for the main event coming up against América in Mexico’s biggest derby.
The last confrontation between the two teams ended in a scoreless draw, but this edition promises to be just the opposite. América’s high-flying attack leads the lead in goals, but they’ve also absorbed their fair share, which could translate into golden opportunities for a defensively solid Chivas to counter.
MEXICAN LIGA DE ASCENSO
[inlinenode:327814]Cruz Azul Hidalgo (4-3-6) vs. León (8-1-4)
American: Marco Vidal (LEO)
Sunday, 1 pm ET
León have a prime opportunity to take back the No. 1 spot in the Liga de Ascenso. With league-leading Irapuato off this weekend, los Esmeraldas could jump to the peak with a victory against a game but overmatched Cruz Azul Hidalgo, who currently sit in the eighth place, just a spot out of the playoff zone.
Vidal has been a staple in León’s midfield, helping the club put together a successful season, and he should be back in the center of the pitch sweeping in front of the defense for this game.
Best of the Rest
Mexican Primera: Monterrey vs. Santos (Adrián Ruelas), Saturday, 6 pm ET, Telemundo
Mexican Primera: Atlante (Sonny Guadarrama) vs. Atlas, Saturday, 10 pm ET, TeleFutura
Liga de Ascenso: Indios (Joaquín Alonso) vs. Veracruz, Saturday, 10 pm ET
Mexican Primera: Puebla (Édgar Castillo) vs. Toluca, Sunday, 1 pm ET, TV Azteca
Liga de Ascenso: La Piedad vs. Tijuana (Joe Corona), Sunday, 5 pm ET
Liga Postobón: Cúcuta vs. América de Cali (Diego Restrepo), Sunday, 6:30 pm ET
