By FRANCO PANIZO
Club Leon’s pair of U.S. Men’s National Team players was in action on Wednesday. One of them had a game to remember. The other a game to forget.
Miguel Ibarra opened his scoring account for Club Leon, as the club played to a 3-3 draw with Atletico San Luis in Copa MX on Wednesday night. The 25-year-old Ibarra scored Leon’s second goal in the game to temporarily give it a 2-1 lead, making a trailing run at the back post and being rewarded with a flicked pass in front of the empty net.
Ibarra’s goal had helped Club Leon fight back from an early deficit that his teammate, goalkeeper William Yarbrough, was partially responsible for. Yarbrough was caught in no man’s land in the second minute of the match, racing off his line to cut off a streaking attacker but overcommitting and getting rounded easily. If this wasn’t bad enough, Yarbrough was directly responsible for Atletico San Luis’ equalizer, as he mishandled a shot from distance and allowed the ball to roll through his legs and into the back of the net.
Fresh off a rough performance of his own, Ventura Alvarado made amends by scoring the game-winner in Club America’s 4-0 triumph against Motagua in the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday. Alvarado, 22, scored the decisive tally in just the third minute of the match at Estadio Azteca, pouncing on a rebound following a corner kick from the right and firing it home. The goal was the centerback’s first of the new season.
Here is how the Americans Abroad did during the midweek action:
MEXICO
- Jose Torres dressed but did not play in Tigres UANL’s 3-0 loss vs. River Plate in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday. Tigres UANL lost on aggregate, 3-0.
- Joe Corona did not dress in Veracruz’s 2-1 win vs. Lobos BUAP in Copa MX on Wednesday.
- Greg Garza did not dress in Atlas’ 1-0 win vs. Universidad de Guadalajara in Copa MX on Wednesday.
- Ventura Alvarado started, played 90 minutes, and scored a GOAL in Club America’s 4-0 win vs. Motagua in the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KMP7-wxUnA]
- Alejandro Guido started and played 90 minutes in Club Tijuana’s 2-1 win vs. Zacatepec in Copa Mx on Tuesday.
- Paul Arriola started and played 45 minutes for Club Tijuana.
- Amando Moreno came off the bench and played 45 minutes for Club Tijuana.
- John Requejo dressed but did not play for Club Tijuana.
- Fernando Arce Jr dressed but did not play for Club Tijuana.
- Michael Orozco did not dress for Club Tijuana.
- Miguel Ibarra started, played 90 minutes, and scored a GOAL in Club Leon’s 3-3 draw vs. Atletico San Luis in Copa MX on Wednesday. You can see the goal here.
- William Yarbrough started and played 90 minutes for Club Leon.
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What do you think about these performances? Think Ibarra is going to have a good season with Leon? Surprised to see Yarbrough struggle so bad?
Share your thoughts below.
Although he didn’t play, it’s good news that Jose Torres dressed. I was wondering what had happened to him late last season and, thanks to the Internet, found that he had vertebrae surgery. I think he had a couple fused, so just the fact he recovered enough to be playing again is good news.
we ignoring Benji Joya? didn’t he score for his club in Copa MX last night as well?
It now takes a full-time staff to keep up with all the YAs. Though to be fair, Joya is with Necaxa now, which is a 2nd division club. I’m guessing someone forgot to cross-check the non-Liga MX clubs.
In even more Americans Abroad news, Ryan Shawcross’ injury may have opened up an opportunity for Geoff Cameron to seize a starting role in central defense. This may work out well for the Confederations Cup playoff game.
In other American Abroad news, Chandlers coach pretty much said he should no longer play for the USMNT. As it’s hurting his play for Frankfurt.
Anyone watching him in the Gold Cup would surely agree.
How many goals was he at fault for this summer? How many goals did he contribute to? How steady was CB pairing next to him?
I am definitely okay with that plan!
Figured Ibarra would do well. Everybody was busy panning him…I saw plenty of talent, just a guy who was in over his head a bit in terms of pace-of-play with the USMNT.
This move to Mexico could do wonders for Ibarra’s confidence and game. I certainly would not write him off yet.
And this is why William Yogurt ( as his teammates call him) is not a starter anymore.