GUIDO AND ARRIOLA READY FOR THE PLAYOFFS

TIJUANA – Alejandro Guido and Paul Arriola know what is at stake. They understand their roles as part of Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente’s Under-20 squad. Both players are veterans in that age category and can be considered leaders. They accept that role as the Xoloitzcuintles head into the 2014 Apertura playoffs.

The Xoloitzcuintles Under-20 host Atlas U-20 on Wednesday in the first leg of the quarterfinals 9 p.m. at Estadio Caliente with free admission to the public. The second leg will be played Saturday in Guadalajara.

“We’re stoked, we just want to start that already” said Guido, the attacking midfielder who started with Club Tijuana’s senior team last Friday night against Leon. “I think we have a very talented pool of players and I think we have everything to become champions. We understand what we have to do. As players with more experience than others, we need to be on top of our game.”

Arriola, who is also a United States youth national team player just like Guido, has post-season experience. He was part of Club Tijuana’s last Under-20 team to reach the playoffs.

“I’m just going to continue to go hard,” said Arriola, who also played with the senior team last Friday. “I know we’ll get the results that we need. Since we made the playoffs for the first time a year and a half ago we know we have what it takes to go all the way, and we will.”

Arriola and Guido will be on the field together again during another important part of their careers. Both attended Mater Dei High School in Chula Vista and played together in the CIF playoffs. The duo also was part of the United States’ Under-17 World Cup team in 2011. Club Tijuana teammate Esteban Rodriguez was also part of that squad.

“It’s always special to play with those guys,” Guido said.

The Xoloitzcuintles have had a special season in the LIGA Bancomer MX.

Club Tijuana finished in the number six position of the league table with 28 points coming from eight wins and four draws. The opponents in the first round of the playoffs, Atlas finished the season in third place with 32 points via nine wins and five draws.

The only road win for Club Tijuana’s U-20 side this season came a few weeks ago in a Week 16 against Atlas. The Xoloitzcuintles took home a 3-1 win with goals from Edgar Villegas and a brace from Arriola.