PREVIEW: WEEKEND MEXICAN ACTION Arch Bell - Friday, November 6, 2009
Marco Vidal and Indios return home in hopes of picking up their first win while Michael Orozco and San Luis need a win to stay in the playoff hunt.
Indios - Jaguares
Marco Vidal and Indios return home on Saturday in hopes of earning their first win of the season when they face Jaguares at Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez in Juárez.
Vidal started and went the distance in Indios' 2-2 draw on Wednesday against Chivas de Guadalajara in a match that may give the native Texan a boost in confidence and a spot in Saturday's starting lineup.
Vidal had spent some time languishing on the bench after starting the season as a regular in the first 11.
The arrival of new coach José Treviño has still not brought a victory to the border city but some solace can be taken in Wednesday's result as the two goals scored could be considered an outburst for the Aborigenes who now have just netted six on the Apertura.
Jaguares come into the match also in last place in their group yet 11 points separates the two teams. The visitors are in the ultra-competitive Group Two and have a solid defense that will likely hinder Indios' already-feeble offensive attack.
Daniel Frías is nicked up for the home team and will not be available while Jaguares' Neri Cardozo is out due to suspension.
San Luis - Santos
It will be a battle of two second place teams when Michael Orozco and San Luis host Santos of Torreon on Saturday in Alfonso Lastras stadium in San Luis Potosi.
On Wednesday, Orozco and San Luis won a point on the road against Estudiantes. They are now two games away from qualifying as the second place finisher of Group One.
Though with Chivas and Atlas chomping at their heels by just two and three points respectively, the Gladiadores will most likely need to win out. Standing in their way is a team who is also hungry for a victory.
Santos have not won in three games and with Atlante an uncomfortable four points behind with two games to go, they will be looking to secure their playoff spot.
Look for Orozco to get the usual starting nod at left-center-fullback.
San Luis will be without Noé Maya due to suspension while Carlos Ochoa is suspended from Santos.
Tigres - Atlante
Edgar Castillo returns from suspension as Tigres welcome in Atlante at the Estadio Universitario in suburban Monterrey on Saturday.
Tigres head coach Daniel Guzmán will likely slot in Castillo at his normal position of left back.
The New Mexico native once again found himself in the news this week when it was reported after last weekend's match that Castillo had been called up by the US national team for this month's friendlies versus Slovakia and Denmark.
It was later revealed by Castillo's agent that the news of the call up was untrue and completely fabricated by the Mexican media.
Tigres' season has devolved into disappointment as their playoff possibilities have dwindled away but there will still be much at stake for the visitors from the Yucatan Peninsula who sit just four points behind second place Santos in Group Three.
The only absence Guzman will have to deal with his Fernando Ortiz who is injured while Atlante will have a full squad.
Toluca - Pachuca
Jose Francisco Torres and Pachuca need a victory on Sunday at Estadio Nemesio Díez against Toluca if they wish to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Pachuca head man Guillermo Rivarola will likely give Torres the starting nod at midfielder against one of the best teams in this year's Apertura.
The Tuzos are accustomed to being in the playoffs eevery season but in this Apertura, Pachuca will need to win out and get some outside help as Monterrey, America and Puebla all stand in their way of reaching the postseason.
Picking up the three points in Toluca will be very difficult as the home team have not lost at their home stadium in over a year.
Toluca have also wrapped up a playoff berth but will still be out to solidify their spot as the top team in Group One.
Damian Alvarez and Paul Aguilar will be unavailable for Rivarola due to injury while Toluca's Hernán Cristante is also out with an injury.
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