In a dual of American midfielders, Pachuca visits Ciudad de Juarez on Thursday night to take on upstart Indios in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Mexican Clausura.
Both Americans are likely to figure from the start, as Marco Vidal has been a fixture of late in Indios' midfield, and Jose Francisco Torres has upped his own level of play in the Liguilla playoffs. Vidal has shifted recently into a more central defensive role in coach Hector Eugui's 4-5-1, a shell-like formation the coach will likely employ again to bunker against the Tuzos' assortment of offensive weapons.
Indios are hoping to extend their fantastic run to end the season, a streak which began around the time Vidal was recalled from the Indios affiliate in Primera 'A.' After securing another season of first division soccer, Indios then proceeded to qualify for the post season tournament in dramatic fashion, before knocking off defending title holders Toluca in the first round.
The Indios' most valuable player of late has been goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo, who kept Toluca from scoring with spectacular saves on numerous occasions in the return match of the quarterfinals.
It is unclear where Indios will get their offense from, as goals have been at an extreme premium for the northerners. Argentine Carlos Maggiolo plays alone up front, complemented by usual substitute Daniel Frias.
The pair will hope to give Indios a lead at home they can hold onto, in the mold of the Toluca quarterfinal, though Indios' lone goal in that series came from a disputed penalty in the first game.
Indios will be hard pressed to stave off the ferocious Pachuca attack for 180 minutes. The Tuzos are coming off a two-match exhibition in which they blasted five goals past a hapless Jaguares team, including a Torres goal in the opener of the series.
Pachuca coach Enrique Meza has an embarrassment of offensive riches to work with, and the offense can come through one of a number of players. No fewer than eleven players have scored for the Tuzos in the Clausura, nine of them have multiple goals, led by Argentine Christian Gimenez with ten.
Indios have not lost at home in eight matches, and they will need to extend that streak to have any hope heading into the return leg Sunday in Nuevo Hidalgo. |
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