Increasingly, Mexican pro clubs are looking north of the border for young Mexican-Americans. More than a dozen are on pro rosters, and four Mexican-Americans, all age 19 or 20, have played in this fall's First Division Tornero Apertura.
EDGAR CASTILLO (Santos)
Games: 2 (57 minutes)
Age: 20.
Starred at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces, N.M., and for New Mexico club Strikers IV with brother Noel. Also played in the ODP program. Tried out with Santos after junior year of high school. Other Americans in Santos youth system are Noel, 17, and U.S. U-20 Sonny Guadarrama.
SAMMY OCHOA (UAG)
Games: 7 (199 minutes).
Age: 20.
Born in Mexico and raised in Riverside, Calif., Ochoa played for the USA at the 2005 World Youth Championship. He played his club ball with Hotspurs USA. Older brother Jesus played for Los Angeles and Chivas USA in MLS and younger brother Norberto is a highly regarded Cal South prospect with Arsenal FC.
MICHAEL OROZCO (San Luis)
Games: 1 (2 minutes).
Age: 20.
Red carded two minutes into his debut for San Luis. Product of Southern California youth powerhouse Irvine Strikers. Played on U.S. U-20 national team in 2004.
JESUS PADILLA (Guadalajara)
Games: 1 game (24 minutes).
Age: 19.
Nicknamed ''Gringo,'' he debuted on opening day of the 2006 Torneo Apertura when Chivas fielded two teams — one to play European champion Barcelona at the Los Angeles Coliseum and the second to face Toluca in the Mexican league. Had a tryout with Chivas USA this winter after being spotted playing for Guadalajara farm team Chivas Coras in the Copa Lowes. Born in Mexico and raised in San Jose, Calif. Older sister Carmen stars for the University of the Pacific and plays for Mexico's women's national team.