TIJUANA –Now that Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente has won a place in Mexico's premier soccer league, the team and city face plenty of challenges.

Both will have to move fast since the league's season, known as the Apertura Tournament, will begin this summer.

Will the Xolos keep the players that helped the team win the 2010 Apertura title and then clinch promotion to the First Division?

Will the team's home field, Estadio Caliente, be able to meet the demands of a match with heavyweight teams such as Chivas or América?

And is Tijuana ready for the influx of visitors sure to descend on the city to see their favorite teams?

For their part, the Xolos have begun to answer some of those questions. The club announced earlier this week that is has re-signed two key players.

The club reportedly signed team captain Marcelo Gandolfi to a four-year contract. The Argentinean played four tournaments with the Xolos and he was an integral part of the team's success this season.

Gandolfi has experience in the First Division. He was under contract with Jaguares de Chiapas before coming to play with the Xolos.

And he has international experience, as well. He played for Argentine clubs Arsenal de Sarandí, River Plate and Talleres.

"He's an important player who helped make our promotion possible," said team president Jorgealberto Hank. "Now we expect him to help us in the First Division."

Another priority for the team was Joe Corona, perhaps their best offensive player.

The Xolos signed the National City native earlier this week. Terms of the contract were not immediately released.

In last week's final, Corona was the driving force in the Xolos' win against the Freseros de Irapuato. He scored a goal and helped set up another one.

He's also a fan favorite.

"Joe is important to us not just because he is a good player but because he is a binational player," said Xolos Vice President Gog Murguia. "Actually, he's a trinational player, not just Mexican-American. He's important because of his appeal to people on both sides of the border."

Corona, 20, grew up in Los Angeles. He has Mexican and Salvadoran parents. He could attract fans from all of Southern California.

But is Corona, a Sweetwater High graduate and former SDSU Aztec, ready for the First Division?

"I can't tell you because I've never played in that division," Corona said. "But I welcome the challenge. Some of my teammates that have played in the First Division say they think I can play there. We'll see how it goes. I think I'm ready."

As for the stadium, there are plans to add at least another 4,000 seats to current 16,000 capacity. More luxury boxes will probably be installed.

The stadium will need lights as the Mexican Federation will probably schedule some night games. Steel towers for lights have already been installed on two sides of the stadium.

A press box with working wireless Internet will have to be installed to handle the demand of not only the regional but national media, especially when the big clubs come to town.

The city needs to prepare for the influx of visitors coming to see Mexico's popular clubs.

The dirt parking lots will probably have to be expanded. Security will need to be increased.

The team's ownership says they have had a plan for these changes since the team was founded in 2007.

Hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, they all could be affected. Tourism dropped dramatically in the last few years and many of these businesses are struggling. Expansion and upgrades may not come easily.

One thing is for certain, Tijuana residents are ready to be in the First Division. What more evidence is needed than the thousands who turned out last Sunday for a parade to honor the hometown champs?

Now it is up to the Club Xolos to live up to expectations.

ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com