CORONA AND GARZA BACK IN TIJUANA

TIJUANA –Joe Corona and Greg Garza returned to practice at Estadio Caliente Wednesday Oct. 15 as the midfielder and defender completed their duties with the United States national team the last couple of weeks.

Corona and Garza trained separately from the rest of the Club Tijuana group under the lights as the team prepares for its Week 13 LIGA Bancomer MX-2014 Apertura match against Queretaro FC. The match is slated for a 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) kickoff at Estadio Caliente.

Both players talked about their experiences with the national team and spoke about returning to their club for league action.

“It’s always a great opportunity be able to have minutes with the national team,” Corona said about being part of Jurgen Klinsmann’s rosters in friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras. “Now there’s a new cycle coming in. I think it’s very important for me to do well and I’m very happy to playing in these friendlies and hopefully I’ll keep getting called up.”

Corona played in both matches as a substitute, coming on in the second half of both games. He came on for Landon Donovan in the match against Ecuador in what was Donovan’s final moment with the national team.

“It was a great feeling, very inspirational,” Corona said of the moment. “I think for me, it was an honor for me to be the one who got subbed in Landon’s last game.”

Garza started in both games, playing the 90 minutes in each match. The Texas native played his natural position, the left back in both games. It was the second time Garza was called to the national team, getting caps number two and three.

“I think the first time was getting know the group a little better the second time there’s a confidence booster,” Garza said. “After being the first time and actually growing chemistry with the club and the other guy, it helped as a confidence booster for the next two games we had. Felt really good on the field and off the field.”

On the field Garza displayed similar traits with the national team compared to his play with Club Tijuana in the LIGA MX. Speedy runs up the flanks, recovering balls in space and aggressive defensive plays. It is all part of developing a feel for being a national team player.

“I think that getting call ups definitely helps with confidence and also being here at the club as well,” Garza said. “But I haven’t gotten anywhere. Its’ only three games. I think each time you go you have to give your life on the field and leave good notes for the coach and his staff so that he can call you up for the future as well. I hope I did that this game and hope I get some call-ups in the next games.”

As for upcoming matches with Club Tijuana, Garza talked about facing Queretaro Friday night.

“Ronaldinho is a guy that was an idol of mine as a kid,” Garza said about Queretaro’s newest international player. “That says nothing the time when you get on a field against Queretaro. We are not playing 11 Ronaldinho’s, we do have to be concentrated on him but as a team aspect, we have to concentrate on all the players.”