Highlights from Mexico

José Francisco Torres played ninety minutes in Pachuca's 3-0 win over Necaxa:


Michael Orzoco helped San Luis to a 4-1 over Indios:


Pachuca keep their lead in Group 1, maintaining a two point advantage over Puebla. San Luis meanwhile are up to 15 points in Group 3, still five points behind Toluca.

Confused by all this? We recommend checking out Reuters Soccer Blog to seek clarification.

Orozco Scores in Tie

Michael Orozco scored a late goal to give San Luis the lead in yesterday's Copa Libertadores game against Universitario, but the Mexican side couldn't hold on and conceded a late equalizer to share the points.

Wednesday Games

Cardiff City and Watford meet in English League Championship action this afternoon, and Watford captain Jay DeMerit could feature for the Hornets. DeMerit, who has been out injured, returned to training this week. Eddie Johnson could get time for Cardiff City, who will be keen to hold on to their sixth place position in the table. The Bluebirds currently occupy the fourth and final playoff spot.

It's as close to do-or-die time as possible for Michel Orozco and San Luis in the Copa Libertadores. San Luis, with only one point to its name after three matches, takes on Universitario of Peru tonight in Mexico.The Gladiadores will host the Peruvian club, with Orozco's side very much in need of a win to stay alive in the competition. As it stands, they are at the bottom of Group 8 with one point and a -4 goal differential, behind Libertad (9 points), Universitario (4 points) and San Lorenzo (3 points).

What We're Watching

Lots going on this weekend, so head to your local U.S. Soccer Official Bar to take in some of the action. If you're up early enough on Saturday, you may just see us there catching the massive Premier League game between Manchester United and Liverpool from Old Trafford. Here's what else we'll be watching this weekend.

Saturday

11 a.m. ET - Everton vs. Stoke City, FSC - David Moyes is celebrating seven years in charge of Everton this weekend and the and he's spoke of returning the club to its days of winning trophies. No silverware on the line this weekend but three points never hurts.

7 p.m. ET - Monterrey vs. Pachuca, Telemundo - José Francisco Torres and Pachuca face Monterrey in a clash between first and second in the Primera División's Group 1.

7:30 p.m. ET - Bolton vs. Fulham, FSC (delayed) - Clint Dempsey's goal in Fulham's last match failed to help the Cottagers get the win, and Fulham ended up falling to Blackburn at home. With three losses in a row in all competitions, Fulham will look to get back on track this weekend with a visit to the Reebok Stadium.

Sunday

12 p.m. ET - Aston Villa vs. Tottenham, FSC - Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa look to stave off Arsenal and Everton in their quest for the much-coveted fourth place spot in the Premier League.

5 p.m. ET - Puebla vs. San Luis, Azteca America - Michael Orozco and San Luis face Puebla in this Sunday afternoon matinée.

Highlights from Mexico

Michael Orozco and San Luis fell 2-0 to UNAM on Saturday.



José Francisco Torres and Pachuca beat U.A.G. 3-2.

San Luis Win on the Road

It's been an indifferent start to the season for San Luis, but this weekend they turned things around with a 2-0 victory away to Club America. Michael Orozco played the full 90 minutes for San Luis, who beat America at the Azteca to remain in 3rd place in Group 3.

Tough Start for San Luis

Michael Orozco and San Luis fell 1-0 to Paraguayan side Libertad in a Group 8 Copa Libertadores clash last night. Orozco went 90 minutes for San Luis, who were undone by an early Luis Ramírez goal. The loss drops San Luis to the bottom of Group 8. Next up in the Copa Libertadores is a match away to Universitario of Perú on Mar. 10.

San Luis Gets First Win of Clausura

Michael Orozco and San Luis grabbed their first win of the 2009 Clausura, beating Jaguares 2-1 on Saturday. Orozco went the full 90 for San Luis, who are up to second in Group 3 with the win. Now the Mexican club faces a long trip down to Buenos Aires, where they'll meet San Lorenzo in Copa Libertadores action on Wednesday.

Orozco and Torres Do Battle in Mexico

San Luis hosted Pachuca last night in Primera División action from Mexico. Michael Orozco went the full 90 for San Luis, but his team was on the losing end of a 2-1 scoreline. José Torres entered the game as a second half sub for Pachuca, who next face Universidad de Chile in their opening match of the Copa Libertadores.

San Luis Tie to Start Clausura

Michael Orozco and San Luis tied Morelia 0-0 in the first week of the Mexican Primera División's 2009 Clausura. Orozco played the full 90 minutes for San Luis, who take on José Torres and Pachuca next week.

Pachuca Prevail in Shootout; Copa Libertadores Awaits

Pachuca and Jose Torres faced Atlas in Interliga play last night. After taking a 3-0 lead into the locker room at halftime, Los Tuzos looked to be heading for an easy victory. Not so! Atlas fought back to tie the game at 3-3, sending the match into extra time. What followed was an excruiatingly long shootout, featuring 13 rounds of shooters:


Torres scored his pk and Pachuca qualified for the Copa Libertadores, joining Chivas and Michael Orozco's San Luis as the clubs representing Mexico in South America's equivalent of the Champions League.

San Luis have already qualified for the group stage, and they've been drawn into Group 8 with Argentina's San Lorenzo, Paraguay's Libertad, and Peru's Universitario?

Pachuca's road is much tougher, as they have to face a preliminary home and away playoff with Universidad de Chile in order to gain entry to the group stage. Those games are set for Jan. 28 and Feb. 4...

San Luis Down after One Leg

Despite ending the season at the top of the Primera División table, Michael Orozco and San Luis was unable to hold off reigning champions Santos Laguna in their first match of the 2008 Apertura quarterfinal series at Estadio Coronoa in Torreón, Coahuila. Santos was without injured Christian Benitez, and replaced him with Cuauhtémoc Blanco, on loan from the Chicago Fire. Santos scored first, on an own goal that went off Oscar Mascorro’s head in the 17th minute. Santos scored again in the 34th minute and San Luis cute the lead in half in the 44th, but was unable to come back as the Guerreros sealed the 3-1 scoreline in the 78th minute.



Next, the San Luis will host Santos, and they will do it without head coach Raúl Arias on the sidelines. Arias as suspended for two matches for arguing with the referees. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29.

San Luis Set to Begin Playoffs

On Saturday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. CT, Michael Orozco and San Luis will travel to Torreón, Coahuila, to face off against Santos Laguna in the first leg of the 2008 Apertura quarterfinals. San Luis heads into the quarterfinals, not only at the head of Group 3, but also at the top of the overall Primera División table, with 29 points at the end of the regular season. San Luis and Santos have met only once in Apertura 2008, resulting in a 2-2 draw in the second to last regular season game.

As a defender, Orozco may face off against a new face in the Santos attack, as Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco has been loaned out to Santos for the Liguilla. San Luis will host the return leg at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 29.

If you haven't noticed yet, Orozco is nominated for U.S. Soccer's Young Male Athlete of the Year Award, along with Robbie Rogers, Maurice Edu, Stu Holden, Marvell Wynne, and Sacha Kljestan. Head over the 2008 Best Of Blog to cast your ballot.

Picture courtesy of isiphotos.com

Mexican Apertura Enters Tense Final Weekend

It's the final weekend of Apertura 2008 in Mexico, and only three teams - Michael Orozco's San Luis included - have qualified for the Liguilla. It's coming down to the wire, as 11 teams still have a shot at reaching the playoffs. The top two teams from each of the three six-team groups qualify, along with the two best third-place teams.

San Luis qualified for the post-season two games ago, and currently lead the league table with 29 points, three ahead of second-place Pumas. A win against Toluca would solidify their place at the top, ensuring home field advantage in each post-season series. Their biggest task will be to overcome the apparent "Curse of the League Leader," as the team that has finished in first place during the regular season hasn't won the league title since Mexico switched to the short tournament format in 1996.

Jose Torres and Pachuca, however, are playing for all the marbles in their match against Atlas (which kicks off at 8 p.m. et), as they currently sit in third place in Group 1 with 20 points behind the already qualifed Atlante, who has 26 points, and Santos Laguna, who has 21 points. Right at their heels in fourth place is Indios of Ciudad Juarez, who have 19 points and are also trying to qualify. In Group 2, Cruz Azul are on the doorstep of claiming one of the two best third-place spots as they lead Jaguares in their final match. Over in Group 3, Tigres are in the driver's seat for the other berth as they sit in third place with 23 points.

Highlights from Mexico

Michael Orozco and San Luis defeated Monterrey, 2-0.



Jose Torres and Pachuca tied Morelia, 1-1.



Check out the full standings of the 2008 Apertura here. With the win, San Luis extended their lead in Group 3 to five points, while Pachuca remain in third place in Group 1.

San Luis beat Pumas

San Luis topped Pumas, 1-0, this weekend to consolidate their place atop Group 3 in the Primera División's 2008 Apertura. Defender Michael Orozco played 90 minutes for San Luis, who next face Argentinos Juniors in the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday.