[AMERICANS ABROAD] Like other Mexican first division clubs, Monterrey-based Tigres operates a multi-tiered farm and youth system. What is unique about the program is its aggressive pursuit of American-based youth players.

It operates Cachorros de la UANL in the Segunda Division (third level) and S.D. Tigres in the Tercera Division (4th tier) and U-17 and U-20 teams in the Fuerzas Basicas league.

The U-20 team on which over-20 players are allowed to drop down from the first team is the top of the Tigres' development pyramid.

Like many pro clubs, Tigres often send their teams abroad to youth tournaments.

Tigres has won six Dallas Cup titles, including the 2003 Super Group.

In August, Tigres' U-19s traveled to Germany and the Netherlands. They finished fifth at the Sparkassen Bundesliga Cup, where Texan Victor Garza was named the MVP, won the Be Quick Zutphen tournament, where Garza was again the tournament MVP, and Heemskerk tournament.

Garza and Emilio Orozco both attended the U.S. under-17 residency program. Garza, Orozco and Orozco's cousin, Moises, spent the summer on the U.S. under-20 national team. Omar Elmasri has played on the U.S. under-18 national team.

Tigres' Mexican-Americans:
U-20s:
Antonio Beltran (90) GK, California
Martin Monroy (90), FW, California
Pablo Ocegueda (93), DEF, California
Omar Elmasri (90) DEF, California

2a Division:
Moises Orozco (92), FWD, California
Emilio Orozco (92), DEF, California
Ismael Ruiz (92), GK, Colorado
Victor Garza (92), FWD/MF, Texas
Daniel Navarro (91) DEF/MF, California

U17s:
Uvaldo Luna (93), FWD, Texas

3a Division:
Christian Rico (94), GK, Colorado