CLUB TIJUANA OPENS SEASON WITH 1-0 LOSS TO PUEBLA FC

TIJUANA –Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente allowed an early goal in a 1-0 loss to visiting Puebla FC in its season opener. The Xoloitzcuintles could not find the equalizer despite having a one-man advantage in the Week 1 match of the LIGA Bancomer MX-2014 Apertura Friday night at Estadio Caliente.

Luis Loroña scored in the 9^th minute for Puebla FC giving the visiting team three points in the standings in the season opener for both teams. Puebla finished the match with 10 men when Efrain Cortes was shown two yellow cards and then a red and was ejected from the match. Despite the advantage, the Xoloitzcuintles (0-1-0, 0 points) could not break through a bunkering Puebla defense. But Club Tijuana did have some opportunities in both halves.

Club Tijuana pressured Puebla FC as it tried to find open spots against a visiting team that pulled its lines back to close out space.

“The first thing is that the players did all they could and played well,” said Club Tijuana coach Cesar Farias. “It’s my responsibility to figure out and resolve what the other coach is trying to do. They defended with conviction. We had nine shots at goal and six other opportunities, including one they defended at the goal line and they only had two shots on goal. The team generated and had its scoring opportunities.”

Club Tijuana did have some opportunities in both halves. One of those Xoloitzcuintles chances came on a soft flicked shot by Dario Benedetto that rolled near the goal line but was slapped away by Puebla goalkeeper Luis Noriega in the 5^th minute. Javier Guemez had a chance of his own in the 34^th minute when he sent a left-footed blast from about 25-yards out but straight to Noriega who punched it away.

Cristian Pellerano had a shot of his own late in the match. He sent a right-footed blast from just outside the penalty box but it floated inches over the crossbar. Second half substitute Joe Corona had a chance of his own in injury time. He sent a cross to the small box over the crossbar as he tried a half scissor kick near the penalty spot. 

“The team showed it has potential and that it can play despite not being able to find a goal,” Farias said. “We weren’t the tough opponents at home but that can change and come into fruition. Yes, we were missing some players but we have good young players who stepped in.”

Farias sent goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo, Israel Jimenez, Elio Castro, Guemez, Alfredo Moreno, Juan Arango, Oliver Ortiz, Richard Ruiz, Greg Garza, Benedetto and Pellerano in his starting line up. Corona, Luis Chavez and Jose Alberto Garica were second half substitutions. It was Chavez' debut in the Mexican First Division. 

The Xoloitzcuintles will now travel to Mexico City to face Club America in a Week 2 match at Estadio Azteca 3 p.m. (Pacific) Saturday July 26.