Xoloitzcuintles Explodes Offensively In Third Preseason Match
Soccer News: Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles showed a different rhythm and flashes of what can be seen in the upcoming 2015 Apertura season win a 6-2 win in a friendly against Monarcas Morelia at Estadio Caliente.
Dayro Moreno, Juan Arango, Gabriel Hauche, Henry Martin, Paul Arriola and Jose Maria Cardenas scored for the Xoloitzcuintles Tuesday’s exhibition match.
Coach Ruben Omar Romano’s squad rallied from an early 1-0 deficit to explode with a barrage of goals in its third preseason game.
Christian Valdez gave Monarcas the lead when he scored from inside the area on a pass by Jefferson Cuero from the left side seconds into the match.
Club Tijuana tied the match in the 26th minute when Moreno sent a shot into the net. The Xoloitzcuintles continued to dominate in the first half by pressuring Monarcas with a fluid brand of soccer.
Romano’s team took the 2-1 lead in the 45th minute on a free kick by Arango. The Venezuelan midfielder sent one of his trademark bending shots that left Monarcas goalkeeper Felipe Rodriguez without a chance to make a play.
Club Tijuana came out with changes at the half. Pedro Hernandez, Antonio Madueña, Henry Martin and Cardenas came on for Diego De Buen, Rodrigo Salinas, Felipe Flores and Arango. The Xoloitzcuintles took a 3-1 lead when Hauche scored on a pass by Hernandez. Martin made it 4-1 a minute later with a powerful left-footed shot.
Romano continued to change the game with additional substitutes. Uriel Alvarez came on for defender Michael Orozco, while Alfredo Moreno came on for Dayro Moreno. Edgar Villegas and Elio Castro were also substituted for Juan Carlos Nuñez and Club Tijuana captain Javier Gandolfi.
Chula Vista native Arriola scored the fifth goal (58th Minute) for Club Tijuana seconds after coming on for Hauche. Cardenas sent in the Xoloitzcuintles final goal.
Monarcas’ Mauro Cejas converted a penalty kick to complete the scoring in the 77th minute after Leiton Jimenez was whistled for a handball in the 18-yard box.
Club Tijuana will continue with preseason training. It will travel to Boise, Idaho next on Saturday July 18 to face Spanish Athletic Club de Bilbao at Albertsons Stadium on the campus of Boise State University. It will be Club Tijuana’s final preseason match before opening LIGA MX play July 25 at Pachuca. The Xoloitzcuintles home opener is July 31 against Dorados de Sinaloa in a Week 2 match at Estadio Caliente.
