YOUNG XOLOS CONTINUE IN JAMAICA

Club Tijuana players Paul Arriola, John Requejo and Amando Moreno saw playing time with the United States Under-20 national team this weekend.

Arriola and Requejo made their second-consecutive start for the Americans in a 1-0 loss to Panama in a CONCACAF Championship match Saturday in Jamaica. Forward Amando Moreno came on as a second half sub for Tommy Thompson in the 68^th minute of the second Group A match for coach Tab Ramos’ team.

Requejo spoke about the loss to ussoccer.com.

"It was a tough game overall,” Requejo said. “Both sides were fighting hard and they had one chance and they put it away. We had a couple chances and we just didn’t put them away.”

The United States is 0-1-1 in the tournament that serves as the qualifier to the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand this year. Arriola and Requejo both started in a 1-1 draw against Guatemala last week. Moreno was on the bench along with Xoloitzcuintles teammate Fernando Arce Jr.

Requejo said he expects his team to bounce back from the loss against Panama.

“It’s still in our hands,” Requejo said. “These next three games, we can win them. We knew this was the biggest game coming into this tournament. It was heartbreaking, losing. But we’re still in the tournament.”

The United States next plays Aruba Wednesday 2:30 p.m. (Pacific).

GARCIA SEES ACTION WITH MEXICO

Club Tijuana striker Jose Alberto Garcia made his debut in the CONCACAF Under-20 championships Saturday in Mexico’s 9-1 win against Cuba.

The Xoloitzcuintles forward came on in the 74^th minute for Alejandro Diaz. Garcia is a veteran with El Tri’s Under-20 team having been called to several camps heading into this tournament.

Mexico faces Canada in its second Group B match Monday Jan. 12 at Noon (Pacific).

(Concacaf.com and US Soccer photos)