A TIE IN TEXAS
Club Tijuana 1-1 Club Santos Laguna: Friendly in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (Oct. 13, 2013) - Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente added to its history with another match outside of Mexico. This time coach Jorge Almiron’s team played to a 1-1 draw against Club Santos Laguna in a friendly match deemed “the Battle of Champions” Sunday at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas
Club Tijuana came to the Lone Star State for the first time and left leaving a mark in front of an energetic crowd on a rainy night. Xoloitzcuintles fans from San Antonio and surrounding areas got to see Joe Corona score the tying goal. The Xoloitzcuintles midfielder and United States national team member volleyed a ball past Santos goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez into the back of the net from just outside the six-yard box in the 43rd minute. Diego Olsina sent a free kick into the area where Javier Guemez headed the ball to Corona to set up the goal.
It was a play that came after Club Tijuana put together a series of attacks that included shots by Herculez Gomez and Olsina. Gomez connected on a header, sending his shot into the hands of Santos goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez five minutes into the match. Olsina took a Paul Arriola centered pass and sent it over the crossbar on the play in the 27th minute.
The Xoloitzcuintles continued to pressure Santos as both teams moved the ball up and down the field with both goalkeepers making a handful of saves. Cirilo Saucedo stopped several Santos shots, diving to his left, right and one while falling backwards. Santos would eventually find the net in the 40th minute.
Nestor Calderon sent a low rolling shot just out of the reach of Saucedo. The Xoloitzcuintles goalkeeper dove to his right but couldn’t reach the shot that sailed inches inside the right post.
Club Tijuana continued looking to break the tie in the second half despite several substitutions. Almiron used Saucedo, Juan Carlos Nunez, Oliver Ortiz, Greg Garza, Alfredo Tahuilan, Cristian Pellerano, Richard Ruiz, Gomez, Arriola, Olsina and Corona in his starting lineup. Adrian Zermeno, Juan Hernandez, Aldo Polo, Raul Enriquez, Antonio Maduena, Bruno Piceno and Daniel Marquez came on as subs in the second half.
The exhibition match was part of a doubleheader that included the San Antonio Scorpions against Edmonton FC of the North American Soccer League. Almiron’s squad came to Texan territory as it continues to work during the two week break from LIGA Bancomer MX-2013 Apertura action due to FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Xoloitzcuintles will now return to Tijuana through San Diego Monday Oct. 14 to continue preparations for its next LIGA Bancomer MX match. Almiron’s team travels to face CD Toluca at Estadio Nemesio Diez Sunday Oct. 20.
