By FRANCO PANIZO
The 2014 World Cup might be over, but the summer action involving Americans playing in other countries is just beginning.
Liga MX’s Apertura campaign gets underway this weekend, and one of the more interesting matches involving Americans is Saturday’s tilt between Atlas and Tigres UANL. Jose Torres, Herculez Gomez and Edgar Castillo could all be in action, and the latter two will be hoping to enjoy memorable debuts for their new clubs. Gomez will be looking to find the back of the net if he receives his Tigres debut, but his former Club Tijuana teammate Castillo will be hoping to use his familiarity with the forward to prevent that from happening and help Atlas get off to a winning start.
Another Liga MX match with plenty of intrigue is Friday’s duel between Club Tijuana and Puebla. Michael Orozco has recovered from the injury that prevented him from partaking in the U.S. Men’s National Team’s pre-World Cup camp and should be in uniform as Puebla visit a Xolos side whose top American players right now are Joe Corona and Greg Garza.
Wondering what other match will be worth watching? Look no further than Mix Diskerud and Rosenborg BK’s Sunday showdown with Sogndal. Diskerud has not started for Rosenborg since before the World Cup, but his eyes are fixed on trying to break back into the lineup in order to help the club try and move into the top three in the Eliteserien.
Here is who the Americans Abroad face this weekend:
FRIDAY
Michael Stephens and Stabaek IF play SK Brann.
Jonathan Bornstein and Queretaro play Pumas UNAM.
Joe Corona, Greg Garza, Paul Arriola and Club Tijuana play Michael Orozco and Puebla. (Arriola is currently with the Under-20 U.S. Men’s National Team.)
SATURDAY
Alonso Hernandez and Monterrey play Universidad de Guadalajara.
Edgar Castillo and Atlas play Herculez Gomez, Jose Torres and Tigres UANL.
Zarek Valentin and FK Bodo/Glimt play IK Start. (Valentin is out injured.)
SUNDAY
Conor O’Brien and Odense BK play Hobro IK.
Gabriel Farfan and Chiapas play Guadalajara.
Josh Gatt, Ethan Horvath and Molde FK play Sandnes Ulf. (Gatt is out injured.)
Mix Diskerud and Rosenborg BK play Sogndal.
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Which of these matches are you most anticipating? Excited for the Americans Abroad feature to be back? Who do you see having a better debut match, Gomez or Castillo?
Share your thoughts below.
Also Terrence Boyd tomorrow for RB Leipzig against PSG, kind of a big one as far as preseason games go, and it’s being televised on BeIN sport
awesome what time?
How has Michael Stephens been doing with Staebek anyway?
Also, I believe the RB vs. PSG friendly is today and that Mr. Boyd had a goal.
WHEN WILL GOTT PLAY AGAIN
forgot all about him. 2 years ago he was in contention for this world cup. NOW, it’s over. people all HYPING YEDLIN
Could you imagine a right side of Yedlin and Gatt? Talk about speed to burn
Looking forward to the return of the American’s Abroad full list.
One thing….can we stop including Bornstein? He never plays and isn’t really worth listing anymore when the European leagues get under way fully.
But Gabriel Farfan should be included?