XOLOITZCUINTLES UNDER-17 TIE IN GUADALAJARA

GUADALAJARA, Mexico –Juan Rodriguez and Cesar Crespo scored for Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente’s Under-17 squad in a 2-2 tie against host Atlas FC.

Rodriguez scored in the 41^st minute while Crespo sent a ball into the net four minutes later to set the come-from-behind tie.

The tie helps the Xoloitzcuintles secure a spot in the eight-team playoffs with one match remaining in the regular season, a home game against Club Leon next week. Coach Marco Marroquin’s team is the No. 6 team in the standings with 36 points. Marroquin’s squad is 8-5-3 in the tournament, clinching its first post-season slot in the Under-17 team’s history.

Atlas took a 2-0 lead with goals from Christian Calderon (11^th minute) and Carlos Lopez (42^nd) via a header that beat Xoloitzcuintles goalkeeper Samuel Velazquez.

Club Tijuana’s Under-17 was relentless in the match, looking to equalize the match after falling behind in the first half. It continued with its aggressiveness until tying the match with Crespo’s goal, a cross to the right post that ended up in the net past Atlas goalkeeper Estuardo Azahar.