TIJUANA –There was no question what Joe Corona wanted to do with his future.

He talked about it with confidence. He made it clear that his goal was to someday play professional soccer for a premier division team.

That was three years ago when Corona played at Sweetwater High School and led the Red Devils to a Division II section title.

Corona will now get the chance to live his dream after Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente beat the Freseros de Irapuato 2-1 in the second and final leg of a playoff Saturday at Caliente Stadium.

The victory sends the Xolos from the Liga de Ascenso to the First Division, where the team will play against Mexico's most popular and powerful clubs.

Corona could finally be living his dream if he remains with the Xolos and is not sold to another team this summer.

Corona, a 20-year-old from National City, and the Xolos will play against Club América, Chivas de Guadalajara, Cruz Azul and UNAM Pumas. Tijuana finally has a First Division team. Think of it as Tijuana playing in Mexico's version of the NFL.

"It's unbelievable," Corona said moments after the game ended. "All of TJ has been waiting for this and … and they deserve it. Look at this place is packed. Everyone wanted to see us but they all couldn't fit."

The nearly 20,000 in attendance and millions watching on national television got to see a Tijuana club hungry to be in the spotlight, starving for respect as a team and probably most importantly, as a city.

Tijuana has a First Division soccer team before San Diego. Tijuana has a professional soccer-specific stadium and it has the monetary support of a wealthy ownership and the backing of its citizens and fans spilling across the border into Southern California.

"We've been ready for this moment since four years ago," said Gog Murguia, the Xolos vice president. "The city has been ready for this. The team, the fan base, the stadium…everything was already planned for this moment."

The Xolos, founded in 2007, have taken a historic step. And it's a moment Tijuana --and San Diego -- can in part thank Corona.

He led the Xolos' attack scoring a goal and added an assist as part of an impressive performance.

It was a performance in which Corona displayed his talent. He not only scored in the 29th minute to give the Xolos a 1-0 lead and send Estadio Caliente into frenzy. He sent a header past Irapuato goalkeeper Adrián Martínez.

He also set up Tijuana's second and decisive score in the 32nd minute. Corona fed Mauro Gerk a filtered pass into the goalkeeper's box for his assist.

Gerk didn't waste time sending Corona's pass just inches inside the right post into the net.

But the score could not have been possible without Corona's creativity.

He dribbled the ball from the left side of the field halfway across all the way near the top of the key, weaving in between several defenders. The ball took a few bounces but Corona kept it under control before sending the pass to Gerk.

The Xolos could have had two more goals against the Freseros. Many think they did score a third one but it wasn't honored.

Xolos forward Richard Ruiz's shot off the crossbar appeared to have ricocheted just inside the goal line but it was ruled to have bounced outside the goal. Members of the media with access to video recorders said the ball looked to have crossed the line.

Raul Enriquez could have put the game away for Tijuana early in the second half but his right footed shot also hit the crossbar and bounced near the goal line.

The Xolos could have finished with a shutout but a defensive mistake led to an own goal in the 38th minute. The Freseros caught Tijuana's defense sleeping. A loose ball bounced off two defenders before it hit Gerardo Galindo and rolled past Xolos goalkeeper Leonin Pineda.

But Tijuana still led.

And as the clock neared the 90th minute, the chants began to emanate from the stands.

"Olé, olé, olé, olé…Xolos, Xolos."

"Ti-jua-na, Ti-jua-na, Ti-jua-na."

Fans jumped up and down. Some waved red and black towels, others beat on drums and many sent the drink they had in hand flying into the air.

The final whistle blew. Confetti rained onto the artificial surface. Music blasted on loud speakers. Players hugged their friends and family members on the field. They hoisted the championship trophy over their heads, including Corona.

The same kid who earned a scholarship to play soccer at San Diego State. It is the same kid that gave up that scholarship after playing only one season for the Aztecs. It's the same player that made a career-changing choice, risking his future when he joined the Xolos reserves in 2009.

The risk paid off.

"It was a process," said Corona, who now lives with his family in Chula Vista. "This was the door to the First Division and we did it. It's about taking chances to reach what you want to do. It's something I always wanted to do and now I have the chance."

Ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com