TO THE SEMIFINALS

GUADALAJARA, Mexico –Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente’s Under-20 team advanced to the semifinals of the LIGA Bancomer MX-2014 Apertura after a 1-1 draw against host Atals FC Saturday.

The Xoloitzcuintles coached by Raul Chabrand move on to the next round winning the aggregate 3-1 in the home-and-home series. Club Tijuana beat Atlas 2-0 at Estadio Caliente Wednesday night in the first match.

Esteban Rodriguez converted a penalty kick in the 43^rd minute for the Xoloitzcuintles Saturday while Yair Delgadillo tied the match seven minutes into the second half.

The Xoloitzcuintles series win comes against the No. 3-seeded Atlas, which only suffered three losses during the tournament, including one against Club Tijuana in the regular season.

Against the “Zorros” Saturday, Chabrand’s team faced an Atlas team that came out looking to pressure and score in the early minutes on the field at Alfredo “Pistache” Torres stadium. But Club Tijuana remained calm and stuck with its game plan and was able to neutralize Atlas attack, eventually taking a 1-0 lead.

It was Rodriguez who converted a penalty kick to give the Xoloitzcuintles the lead. The United States youth national team player struck a nice ball, fooling the goalkeeper sending the ball to his opposite side into the net. The Xoloitzcuintles took the lead into halftime.

Chabrand kept his original starting 11 for the start of the second half while Atlas coach Hugo Castillo made some adjustments subbing in Bryan Garnica and Delgadillo, who tied the match in the 52^nd minute. 

Atlas tried to find another goal but the Xoloitzcuintles defense stood firm and was able to keep the Zorros’ attack at bay. Chabrand’s squad awaits its semifinals opponent to be determined after this weekend. Next round matches are also to be determines. The Xoloitzcuintles return to practice in Tijuana Monday Dec. 1.