GUADALAJARA, Mexico – US Under-17 World Cup veteran Alejandro Guido made his professional bow Tuesday, starting for Club Tijuana in their 2-1 victory over Celaya in the Copa MX.
Guido (above, with the US Under-17 team) played in an attacking midfield role and looked assured on his big night, producing skilful touches and almost getting on the scoresheet in the 50th minute with a left-footed shot from the edge of the area. He went 71 minutes before being substituted.
Also in Tijuana's starting lineup was American Greg Garza, who was solid down the left side for the Xolos, and also went close with an effort from a tight angle in the 80th.
Stevie Rodriguez was also in the 18-man roster for Club Tijuana, but was left on the bench by coach Antonio Mohamed. The result puts the Xolos on eight points, in first position in Group 6, with just two games of the group stage remaining.
The other American in Copa MX action on Tuesday was Marco Vidal, whose Lobos BUAP fell 2-0 against a Puebla team that had given DaMarcus Beasley the night off, while Texan midfielder Vidal went the full 90.
Both teams are still in the hunt to make the quarterfinals, with Puebla in second position in Group 7 on seven points and Lobos behind them in third on five points.
Finally, in the CONCACAF Champions League, Herculez Gomez's Santos Laguna strolled to a 5-0 victory against El Salvador's Águila in the first game of the new CCL campaign for last season's runners-up.
Gomez came off the bench in the 66th minutes for the Guerreros, getting a few chances to score, none better than in the 77th when he scuffed a shot at the far post over the bar.
Next up for Santos in the CCL is a trip north to face old foes Toronto FC on August 28.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America. Contact him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
