TIJUANA The upcoming season may be the final one for Xolos forward Mauro Gerk, who has become a fan favorite.
Gerk, who was born in Argentina, has announced that he would like to retire as member of the Xolos. This week the team obliged him, signing an agreement with Querétaro, which owns his contract, to keep him in Tijuana for at least six more months.
Meanwhile the team returns to Caliente Stadium on Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the last game of the pre-season, a match against Atlante.
The team will include Joe Corona, who had been practicing with the U.S.U-23 team, and new signings Duvier Riascos and Alfredo González Tahuilán.
In an interview published in the website MedioTiempo, Ignacio Palau, the Xolos' sports director, said the plan is for "The Tank" to retire wearing Tijuana's red and black jersey.
"It was an exhausting process with the people in Querétaro," Palau told the web site. "The idea is for him to retire from our team. We did everything in our power for Mauro to retire with more dignity."
Gerk, 34, began playing soccer in Mexico in 2004. He became a naturalized Mexican citizen and played for Celaya, Querétaro, Dorados and Xolos.
Last spring, he played a key role in Tijuana's passage to Mexico's premier First Division. Playing in tandem with Raúl Enríquez, Gerk became one of the most popular players.
"The Tank" scored one of two goals that led to Tijuana's victory over Irapuato on May 21 at Caliente Stadium, sealing the Xolos' move to the First Division.
And in the first season in that division, Gerk scored a goal against Atlas in Week 12, a match that ended in a 2-2 tie.
The Xoloitzcuintles begin the Clausura 2012 season on Jan. 6 playing against Monarcas in Morelia. The following week they play at Caliente Stadium for their home-opener against Rayados de Monterrey.
Alexandra.mendoza@sandiegored.com
