Photo Credit: Itzel Segura / Prost Amerika
By Jonny Rico
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It’s been almost five years since that Saturday July 23 evening at Estadio Caliente when Tijuana Xolos played its first ever match in Mexico’s top flight league, Liga MX. Club Tijuana had won promotion into Liga MX and made its debut in the 2011 Apertura season hosting Monarcas Morelia.
As a recently promoted team, Tijuana Xolos was inevitably in the middle of a relegation race. Five years later Xolos would once again get set to open up an Apertura season hosting Morelia knowing that every point was vital in order to escape the depths of the percentage table.
Monarcas Morelia defeated the Liga MX newbies five years ago with a 2-1 scoreline. But it was a completely different story last Friday night at Estadio Caliente. Two goals from Colombian striker Dayro Moreno, one, a penalty, just before the halftime whistle and one just after gave the Xolos the 2-0 win over its direct relegation race rivals Morelia.
BRAND NEW XOLOS TEAM
The starting lineup for Xolos on Friday featured six new players making their debuts with Tijuana. Emanuel Aguilera, Juan Carlos Medina, Guido Rodriguez, Victor Malcorra, Aviles Hurtado and Milton Caraglio all suited up for Club Tijuana for the first time.
Young Argentine midfielder Guido Rodriguez was the one who stood out the most from the six Xolos debutants. Despite his young age of 22 years, Rodriguez showed plenty of experience in the middle of the field in the defensive midfield position. His energy allowed him to run all over the field winning possession back for the Xolos on the opponent’s side and in his own box.
Colombian striker Aviles Hurtado showed moments of brilliance in combination with countryman Dayro Moreno in the attacking portion of the field. Hurtado had to be subbed out as a precaution before the the 30th minute mark of the game.
FIRST WIN AT HOME FOR MIGUEL HERRERA
“I am left satisfied,” said manager Miguel Herrera in his postgame news conference. “The team played very under the tough conditions we knew we would face.”
After going winless at home during the entire 2016 Clausura season, Miguel Herrera picks up his first win at home with the Xolos at the start of the Apertura season. The win will relieve the pressure that has been building up and will set the Xolos off with positive momentum into the rest of the season.
Mexico
