MORELIA, MEXICO.- Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente came up short in a comeback attempt in a 2-1 loss against short-handed
host Monarcas Morelia in a Week 4 match of the LIGA MX-2013 Apertura Saturday night.
Morelia scored in each half against Club Tijuana, who suffered its first loss of the season.
Hector Mancila scored both goals for Morelia in the 11th and 51st minute.
The Xoloitzcuintles (1-1-1, four points) cut the lead in the 65th minute with a Fidel Martinez score on a play that came off a Paul Arriola pass. Arriola, who played high school soccer at Mater Dei High in Chula Vista last year, sent a left-footed pass from near the right corner of the field after beating his man one-on-one to find Martinez charging the six-yard box near the far post. Martinez finished the play, burying the ball in the back of the net.
Club Tijuana pressured until the end of the match after picking up an attacking rhythm with a one man advantage. Morelias Rodrigo Salinas was shown a direct red card for a hard tackle from the back over Edgar Castillo.
The Xoloitzcuintles will now travel to El Salvador to take on Luis Angel Firpo in its first CONCACAF Champions League match Aug. 6.
Club Tijuana will then return to host Pumas UNAM at Estadio Caliente in a Week 5 LIGA MX match Aug. 9.
editorial@sandiegored.com
