He began the season as a fan favorite and one of the team's best players. Club Tijuana Xolitzcuintles midfielder Joe Corona was a starter and highly regarded. The National City native and former SDSU player was on a speedway to success.
Corona, 21, now finds himself spending most of his time on the bench, coming in late in games as a substitute.
Corona spoke with SanDiegoRed.com about his experience as a member of Mexico's Under-22 national team, where he also saw some playing time as a backup, his new role as a substitute (for now), his relationship with new Xolos coach Antonio Mohamed and the Xolos first home win Saturday as members of the Primera División.
Q: What was your experience with Mexico's U-22 team?
A: "It was a very good experience. It was very different than playing with your club. I learned a lot from it. I learned that you have to always be playing at a high level. Everyone is on their game, so you also have to be on yours."
Q: How did the experience compare to how you imagined it to be?
A: "I always saw myself as part of a national team, especially Mexico. Not everyone gets called up. People worldwide can see your traits and it's a good way to showcase what you can do in front of scouts. You see the bigger picture. They can see if you have talent."
Q: You got to travel to San Luis Potosí and Chile while with the U-22. What was that like?
A: "It was nice but nothing out of ordinary. It's a cool thing to get to see other places and see other players and people in other countries.
Q: What are some things you talked about with (U-22 coach) Luis Fernando Tena?
A: "We talked a bit at practice. It was mostly soccer talk about where I felt most comfortable playing."
Q: Where did you feel more comfortable playing?
A: Well, I mostly play the right wing but I told him I feel comfortable playing behind the forwards as a '10'."
Q: Where did Tena put you?
A: "At right defender. You have got to be able to play anywhere. I don't think it's my strength playing (that position) but you have to take advantage of it."
Q: Mexico is playing in the Pan American Games in Guadalajara mostly with what is the U-22 team. Why do you think you were not selected to that team?
A: "I have no idea. I did expect a call. There was a lot of competition. I guess coach wanted more experienced players."
Q: You played in an unofficial match with Mexico, so, that means you are still eligible to play for the United States. What has the U.S. national team said to you lately and what are the chances you would say 'yes' to them if they called?
A: My door is still open for a national team that wants to give me an opportunity. Mexico is the culture I grew up in but I lived on both sides of the border. The door is open."
Q: You wore No.3 green jersey with El Tri. What did you do with it?
A: "It's in my closet. I'm hoping I get to use it again."
Q: Since you returned to the Xolos from being with the national team, you've spent a lot of time on the bench and playing as a substitute. What's going on with that?
A: "I was a regular starter with (former coach) Joaquín (del Olmo). He gave me all his confidence. But this is soccer. You have to be ready for when a coach comes in with a different point of view and a different plan for you. I am still hoping I will be a starter again. It was (new coach Antonio Mohamed's) decision to start more experienced players. I am hoping to show that I can be a starter. The priority is to do what it takes to help the team win, even if it means playing five or ten minutes in a game."
Q: How different is the team with Mohamed than with del Olmo?
A: "It's not like we've changed our ways for Mohamed. He came in to fit the group. We had something established with Joaquin. Mohamed brought his assistants and it is easier to fit five guys into a system with 20 players than fit 20 players with five people. It's not very different. (Mohamed) is a good guy who wants similar things like Joaquin."
Q: How important was the Xolos' home win last week against Pachuca?
A: "It was huge. Not only had we not won at home, we are in the First Division trying to stay there. It gave us extra wind. We have to take it and think that we can beat any team. We need that confidence to stay in the Primera."
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
