Notes from the Western Frontera - July 15

After a few weeks of player signings and other huge announcements (still loving those new kits), Club Tijuana had a rather serene week. No new signings, no rumors - just putting in the work that will hopefully lead to the club sewing a second star on their jerseys in December. It wasn’t just the senior team though that was putting in work.

U18s advance in the Mitad del Mundo U18 tournament - On Wednesday, the Xolos U18s beat Colombia’s Atletico Nacional U18s in penalties to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. Samuel Lopez had the lone goal for Xolos, while goalkeeper Luis Lopez stopped three shots in penalty kicks. Xolos U18s faced off against Atletico Paranaense U18s yesterday, however the Brazilian squad defeated Xolos 4-2 in penalties. Ivan Lopez was the lone goalscorer for Xolos during regulation. In a press release, Coach Diego Torres said “We are proud of our young guys. We need to continue with the developmental process so that they can continue working on their dream to reach the first division.”

Xolos’ Women’s Team continues to prepare - The Liga MX Femenil season is also slated to start soon, and Xolos’ coach Andrea Rodebaugh is having the team working out lately. Rodebaugh will face significant challenges going into the inaugural season however. Fabiola Ibarra and Carolina Jaramillo are tied as Xolos’ all-time (thus far) goalscorer with three goals each in the 2017 Copa MX Femenil tournament. Ibarra and Jaramillo both signed with Tigres on June 30th however.

According to a press release, Rodebaugh’s team will look to play a friendly today “against an opponent to be determined.”

Xolos friendly against FC Juarez - I was very hopeful at the end of last season that Juarez would win the Ascenso MX and be promoted so there would be two teams on the United States - Mexico border in Mexico’s top flight. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be, however Xolos did play a friendly against them last night in Juarez.

Xolos jumped out to an early lead on a golazo from Alejandro Guido in the third minute.

If you watch the whole clip, there’s two other goals there. The second goal is another highlight-reel shot from Mauricio Cuero from the 41st minute.

The second was a more workman-like goal from Guido in the 44th that counted all the same.

In the 55th minute, Topo Valenzuela would get Xolos final goal of the night on a solid header.

From there came wave after wave of substitutions for Xolos, and Juarez was able to pull two back. Leandro Carrijo put a rebound past Tono Rodriguez in the 65th minute and converted a penalty in the 68th to make it respectable for the hosts. The Bravos were outmatched however, and Tijuana heads back home to start the Liga MX season on the heels of a 4-2 win.

Other news and notes:

• Joe Corona played 61 minutes in the United States’ 1-1 draw with Panama in the Gold Cup last Saturday.
• Paul Arriola played 73 minutes in the USMNT’s 3-2 win over Martinique in the Gold Cup on Wednesday.
• Yasser Corona’s number 3 will not be worn this season. The club has still listed the number as being assigned to him in hopes that he’ll be able to return and as a sign of respect.