XOLOITZCUINTLES TIE AT HOME

TIJUANA- Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente played to a scoreless tie against visiting Cruz Azul in a tight Week 11 match of the LIGA Bancomer MX-2014 Apertura Wednesday night at a Estadio Caliente. 

The Xoloitzcuintles earn a point in the standings and move to 2-3-6 in the season. Coach Daniel “Travieso” Guzman’s team sits with 12 points in the standings heading into this weekend games.

The home team came out looking to score early against the team from Mexico City. Dario Benedetto and Alfredo Moreno initiated a Xoloitcuintles attack. Benedetto had shots on goal in the 9^th, 26^th and 44^th minute but his attempts ended up in the hands of Cruz Azul goalkeeper Jesus Corona or over the crossbar. Benedetto nearly fed Moreno with a nice ball that could have led to a goal in the 14^th minute but Moreno couldn’t reach the ball in the area with only the goalkeeper to beat. 

Midfielder Joe Corona also had a shot of his own in the first half. The National City native and Sweetwater High grad sent a right-footed shot from about 25-yards out but Jesus Corona was there to catch it in his mid section.

Club Tijuana continued to try and pressure the Cruz Azul defense, moving its lines up field generating another set of dangerous plays in the second half. Richard Ruiz had an open shot in the 72^nd minute but he sent the ball high over the crossbar.

Guzman used goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo, defenders Javier Gandolfi, Hernan Pellerano, Juan Carlos Nuñez and Gregory Garza in the back. At midfield Guzman started Cristian Pellerano, Juan Arango, Richard Ruiz and Corona. Dario Benedetto and Alfredo Moreno.  Dayro Moreno (59^th minute), Javier Guemez (68^th) and Henry Martin (90^th) were second half substitutes.

The Xoloitzcuitles will travel to Monterrey for a Week 12 match Saturday Oct. 4 against Rayados at Estadio Tecnologico before heading into a FIFA date break. Club Tijuana will then resume action Oct. 17 with a home match against Queretaro.