Soccer

U.S. born soccer players Corona and Castillo make history in Copa Libertadores

It took 54 years to break this barrier

TIJUANA, BC. – Professional soccer team Xoloitzcuintels (Xolos) from Tijauna defeated the Bolivian team, Jose Oruro, yesterday at Caliente stadium 4-0, where both Joe Corona and Edgar Castillo made history by being one of the very few U.S born soccer players to score in the biggest Latin American tournament "Copa Libertadores de America."

The first time that a U.S. born soccer player ever scored in this tournament, was back in March 18, 2009, when Michael Orozco was able to put the ball into the net two times against the team from Peru, Universitario de Deportes. Orozco at the time was playing for Reales from San Luis, Mexico.

The second U.S. player to score in this tournament was Nicolas "Nicky" Torres, who on April 19, 2011, was able to score against Jaguares from Chiapas (Jaguars), while playing for Club Jorge Wilstermann of Bolivia.

It took fifty four years for U.S. born soccer players to break this barrier in this tournament, which could be a sign that the level of soccer in the U.S. is only getting better.

Edgar Castillo, who was born in New Mexico, opened up the score yesterday against San Jose Oruro, in which Joe Corona, born in Los Angeles, CA, did not stay far behind either and also scored in this game, which was the second match for these two teams from group 5 in this tournament.

With these two recent goals scored by Corona and Castillo, they now add to a list of five goals scored by only four U.S. born soccer players in the tournaments history.

Corona, Castillo and "Nicky Torres" all have something in common, which is that they all have a double nationality with Torres being that of the U.S. and Argentina, while Corona and Castillo is with the U.S. and

Mexico. The only difference here is that both Corona and Castillo's double nationality status is also valid in soccer, where that of Torres is not.

As far as Michael Orozco, he was born in Orange, CA, and has also played for the U.S. national soccer team.

His career started with San Luis (Mexico) where he grew up in the team's youth training camp before ascending to the professional level.

The professional soccer team from Tijuana (Xolos) has made a significant impact on the national and international scene, which has not only made Tijuana, Baja California shine, but also California and the U.S.

Manuel.Medina@sandiegored.com

Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com

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