Gringo Report: Herculez ready to feature versus América

It’s a new start down in Mexico, as teams prepare to take the pitch for the first game of the Clausura 2011 season. With everyone looking to jump out to a hot start, this weekend promises some fine action. So grab a hold of some chips and salsa, sit back, and tune in, amigos.

Mexican Clausura, Wk. 1

Cruz Azul (0-0-0) vs. Estudiantes (0-0-0)

Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, TV Azteca

American: Samuel Ochoa (EST)

With a new year comes new hope for Estudiantes. Ochoa will look to take hold of a striker spot and help the Guadalajara-based club– which brought in some much-needed reinforcements and a new coach – rebound from a second-worst 4-10-3 record in the Apertura 2010. A win in their first match would be a huge boost for Estudiantes, but it won't be easy. They face a tough Cruz Azul squad coming in with a chip on their shoulder after a premature Apertura playoff exit.

Puebla (0-0-0) vs. Chivas (0-0-0)

MexSport

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, TV Azteca

Americans: Edgar Castillo (PUE), MiguelÁngel Ponce (CHI)

It’s a battle between American left backs when Ponce and Chivas visit Castillo and Puebla. Castillo, who arrived at Puebla during the transfer window, will look to claim a regular spot on a team that promised much but delivered little during the Apertura. Chivas also didn’t live up to expectationslast tournament and will hope to regain the offensive firepower – and confidence – they lacked.

América (0-0-0) vs. Pachuca (0-0-0)

Sunday, 5 p.m. ET, Univisión

Americans: José Francisco Torres, Hérculez Gómez (PAC)

In the Apertura, Pachuca were a far cry from the dominant squad it had been in years before, just barely squeezing into the playoffs. The Tuzos have lost their top scorer, Darío Cvitanich, due to loan expiration. Luckily for Gómez, this should mean a promotion from super sub to starting forward, with Torres feeding him from the midfield. In front of Pachuca will be an América team itching to display quality attacking soccer that they strayed from last tournament.

Liga de Ascenso, Wk. 1

León (0-0-0) vs. Atlante Neza (0-0-0)

Saturday, 9 p.m. ET

American: Marco Vidal (LEO)

One of the most storied clubs in Mexican soccer, León is craving a return to the top flight. Winning the Apertura tournament would give them a chance to return to the Mexican Primera, and the club felt that Vidal – formerly one of three American amigos at Pachuca – had a skillset that would help them. Atlante Neza finished last in the Apertura,but their desire to improve should be trumped by a revamped Leóndesperate to make it back to the first tier.

Best of the Rest:

Mexican Primera: Necaxa vs. Jaguares (Francisco Javier López), Friday, 6 p.m. ET, TV Azteca

Mexican Primera: Querétaro (Isaac Acuña) vs. Tigres (Jonathan Bornstein– injured), Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, TeleFutura

Mexican Primera: Santos vs. Atlante (Sonny Guadarrama), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET

Source