By FRANCO PANIZO
A pair of Americans may have found the back of the net in cup matches this week, but those performances were not the only noteworthy ones.
A week after making his Atlante debut, Jonathan Bornstein made another appearance by starting and going the distance in the club’s 2-0 Copa MX victory over Merida. Bornstein was deployed in defense and helped the Potros de Hierro (Iron Colts) post a clean sheet while picking their first three points in Group 4. Bornstein and Atlante currently sit in second place in the group behind Pumas UNAM due to goal differential.
Two younger Americans also saw some rare playing time in Copa MX. Former Under-20 U.S. Men’s National Team standout Daniel Cuevas came off the bench and played 23 minutes in Lobos BUAP’s scoreless draw with Veracruz, while Alejandro Guido made a 14-minute cameo in Dorados’ 3-1 win vs. Estudiantes U.A. de G.
Guido’s teammate, Paul Arriola, was one of the two Americans to score during the midweek action. Arriola netted for the club for a second straight week, finishing a low cross just before halftime in what was ultimately the game’s decisive play.
The other player to score was Aron Johannsson. The U.S. Men’s National Team forward continued his strong campaign with his latest tally in a 2-0 triumph vs. Roda JC in the KNVB Cup, giving him 20 goals in all competitions this season and putting him just 11 shy of the record Jozy Altidore set just last year.
Here is how the Americans Abroad fared during the midweek action:
ENGLAND
Capital One Cup
- Jozy Altidore came off the bench and played 34 minutes in Sunderland’s 2-1 penalty kick win after a 2-1 victory (2-2 on aggregate) vs. Manchester United on Wednesday.
NETHERLANDS
KNVB Cup
- Aron Johannsson started, played 90 minutes and scored a GOAL in AZ Alkmaar’s 2-0 win vs. Roda JC on Tuesday.
MEXICO
Copa MX
- Jonathan Bornstein started and played 90 minutes in Atlante’s 2-0 win vs. Merida on Wednesday.
- DaMarcus Beasley started and played 90 minutes in Puebla’s 1-0 win vs. Correcaminos on Tuesday.
- Michael Orozco did not dress for Puebla.
- Paul Arriola started, played 90 minutes and scored a GOAL in Dorados de Sinaloa’s 3-1 win vs. Estudiantes U.A. de G. on Tuesday.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf4DrNOnbi0?feature=player_embedded]
- Alejandro Guido came off the bench and played 14 minutes for Dorados.
- Jose Torres started and played 45 minutes in Tigres UANL’s 6-1 win vs. Atletico San Luis on Wednesday.
- Joaquin Hernandez dressed but did not play in Monterrey’s 3-1 win vs. Altamira on Wednesday.
- Daniel Cuevas came off the bench and played 23 minutes in Lobos BUAP’s 0-0 draw vs. Veracruz on Tuesday.
—–
What do you think of these performances? Do you think Bornstein will see more time with Atlante this season or should he return to MLS as soon as possible? Which youngster do you think has more potential, Cuevas or Guido?
Share your thoughts below.