THE AMERICAN’S CORNER

TIJUANA –Joe Corona smiled and brushed it off.

The Club Tijuana midfielder had just smashed a penalty kick off the crossbar during a recent Xoloitzcuintles practice at Estadio Caliente. He smiled at his head coach Daniel Guzman after the manager joked with the United States National team player.

“What was that? I’ve never seen a Yankee do that,” Guzman said while poking fun at Corona for missing the penalty kick.

Corona didn’t mind. He is glad he is back on the pitch being able to kick a ball.  The 24-year0old is back on the pitch for the Xoloitzcuintles at full participation with the team. The San Diego native went through warm ups, tactical and strategic drills this week. He even played in an intersquad scrimmage. No more work on the side with the team trainers and doctors.

“Hopefully, I will be back playing in a game soon,” Corona said. “I am nearly at 100-percent. It’s only a matter of time when I am back helping my team. Maybe this week. We will see.”

Corona suffered a broken bone in his foot on Halloween against Toluca FC at Estadio Caliente. He underwent surgery and rehab until being cleared to kick the ball this week. Expect Corona to kick more balls in the coming days, maybe even more PKs.

GUIDO MAKING PROGRESS

Another injured American is Alejandro Guido. The Chula Vista, Calif. native worked on the side with team trainers this week and has begun kicking the ball and making sharp cuts after suffering a second growing injury in the last three months.

“I started working more with the team, started moving the ball around,” Guido said. “I’m very close to getting back on the field. Hopefully, this week.

Guido is eager to get healthy as he could face plenty of work this 2015 Clausura. He could be used on the Under-20 team and the team competing in the COPA MX. He could also see some time with the first team.

“I think our U-20s are great, I think we have a real good squad,” Guido said. “I think we are going to be looking for that title. I hope I can be with the first team but whatever (the coaching staff) wants me to do, I want to be ready for that.”

MORENO SCORES FOR USMNT UNDER-20 IN JAMAICA

(US Soccer photo)

Amando Moreno was the first Xoloitzcuintle to score for the United States in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championships in Jamaica. Moreno, a second half sub, for Ben Spencer, scored in the 84^th minute of an 8-0 win against Aruba Wednesday. Aruba’s defense made a poor clearance and the United States capitalized on the chance. Bradford Jamieson IV sent a left-footed from outside the box and Jean Marc Antersijn dove to his left for the save. Moreno rushed on for the rebound, shouldering off a nearby defender for the goal.

Club Tijuana teammate John Requejo made his third-straight start for the Americans while Paul Arriola came on for Emerson Hyndman in the 78^th minute. Xoloitzcuintles midfielder came on at the start of the second half for Tommy Thompson, getting his first minutes in the tournament that serves as the Under-20 World Cup qualifier.