Sports

Mexico selects South Bay soccer star for U-22 team

Joe Corona plays for Tijuana Xolos

By Ivan Orozco2011-08-24T22:40:00+00:00

He talked about the moment when he kicked balls through the patchy grass as member of the Sweetwater High boys' soccer team in National City.

Joe Corona envisioned himself someday playing for a national team -- Mexico to be specific.

That was three years ago. Now the 21-year-old can say he is a national team player. And he will be wearing Mexico's jersey.

Corona was called to Mexico's Under-22 national team Wednesday as the team prepares for a friendly match against Chile in San Luis Potosí on Sept. 2.

"It made my day," said the typically quiet Corona about getting the call from a Mexican Federation director. "I wasn't expecting (the call) at that moment. He told me I was on the list. I'm very happy."

It is a list Corona coveted. The Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles midfielder waited patiently as he became more known now that his club is in the Primera División, Mexico's top-flight league. Corona scored goals during Tijuana's first two matches of the Apertura Tournament while on national television in Mexico and the United States.

Corona, born in Los Angeles, is the son of Mexican and Salvadoran parents. That makes him eligible to play for Mexico, the United States or El Salvador.

El Salvador coach Ruben Israel confirmed he spoke with Corona in May asking the South Bay resident to join his team for this year's Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers next summer. Israel said Corona kindly declined as he waited for Mexico or the United States to call.

Corona had previously said he preferred to play for Mexico but "would not close the door on the United States."

New U.S. Coach Juergen Klinsmann showed some recent interest in Corona. Klinsmann sent a scout to the Xolos' match against Puebla earlier this month. He wanted a complete report on Corona. Sources say the report gave high marks.

Corona said he never received a call from the United States, which will play in an exhibition at the Home Depot Center in Carson against Costa Rica the same day Mexico takes on Chile.

The Xolos will play in its highly anticipated home match against Chivas de Guadalajara on the same day Mexico faces Chile on Sept. 2. Chivas is one of Mexico's most popular and powerful teams.

It doesn't matter. Corona knows what he will do.

"Yeah, I'll miss that game," Corona said, his voice growing a bit louder. "I don't care. Not when it comes to being with the national team and helping them out."

That means the Xolos would be without Corona for its match this Sunday against Queretaro.

The 23 players selected are scheduled to meet in Mexico City at the federation's performance center before traveling to their respective matches.

Corona said he had not spoken to his club or Xolos coach Joaquin del Olmo about his call-up when reached by phone Wednesday afternoon.

He said he simply appreciated the opportunity to play for the national team.

"I'll keep on doing what got me here in the first place," Corona said. "I plan to keep the same mindset. We'll see what happens from there. I hope I can earn a (permanent) slot with (Mexico) and take advantage of it."

MEXICO UNDER-22 NATONAL TEAM SELECTIONS

Liborio Vicente Sánchez Ledezma - Querétaro

Carlos Felipe Rodríguez Rangel - Monarcas

Hugo Isaac Rodríguez - Atlas

Hiram Ricardo Mier Alanís - Monterrey

Néstor Araujo - Cruz Azul

Darvin Francisco Chávez Ramírez - Monterrey

César Ibañez - Santos

Diego Reyes - América

Jorge Enríquez - Guadalajara

Antonio Gallardo - Guadalajara

Ricardo Bocanegra - Atlas