They walked off the team charter bus on a sunny day earlier this week.
Some smiled while speaking to each other. Others kept to themselves. A handful of them wore their headphones as they prepared to enter the airport.
Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles players depicted a similar jive before starting other road trips.
This time the destination is not so different from previous ones during this Apertura Tournament.
Another game in a hostile stadium against one of the league's storied franchises.
Tijuana's aura might not change anytime soon but if there is a time for the team to think "win, and win only" it might just be this weekend.
The Xolos (1-4-2) are desperate for points. Ties might not cut it for a team trying to stay afloat in the Mexican First Division. Coach Joaquin del Olmo's squad is trying not to dip into the bottom of the tournament standings after failing to rake in a win in the previous four matches.
Tijuana has been the better team at times but has yet to learn how to win against the "big boys" of the league after only managing to bring in five points. That's after seven games.
That is good enough for the second worst spot in the league, only one point away from last-place Atlas. That means Tijuana is the leading candidate for relegation to the Liga de Ascenso, the second division circuit.
And that might not be good news for the head coach.
It's a trend for teams struggling early on to fire their coach.
Del Olmo has said he knows that is always a possibility with recent results.
However, the Xolos cannot afford to drop del Olmo. Changing coaches during the season might not work for a team trying to assimilate to a different division. Finding a replacement would probably not be a problem but replicating the chemistry del Olmo has developed with his players might be a challenge.
Getting used to a new coach is something the club can do without at the moment.
For now, the focus is beating Toluca (2-1-4, 10 points), the No. 8 team in the league. Facing one of the top teams in the league is not new for the Xolos.
The team is coming off a 1-0 loss to Chivas de Guadalajara, the leader in the standings with 16 points.
Tijuana led 1-0 at one point only to give up second half goals in a 2-1 loss against Cruz Azul, another storied franchise and the No. 2 team in the league with 14 points
Toluca could be the opponent the Xolos need. After all, its only win came on the road against Santos Laguna on Aug. 6. The Xolos have not won at home. A road win could be ideal.
"I think our team plays the same at home and away," del Olmo said. "It's true they try to shut down our attack when we are on the road. But other than being an offensive or defensive team we have to be balanced. We have to play a smart game.
"We must play together as a unit like we haven't done before. We must keep possession of the ball and not make long runs."
That is a similar approach del Olmo has taken in previous matches. But this time, it might be a viable option since he will have a full squad at his disposal.
The squad includes star midfielder Joe Corona and striker Dayro Moreno, the second highest goal scorer in the tournament with five, one fewer than Jaguares' Luis Villamizar's six.
Corona is back from his first national team appearance. He was on Mexico's Under-22 squad while Moreno was with his national team, Colombia.
The Xolos clearly missed both of those players, some say the team's best players.
"Every game is different, no matter who plays," del Olmo said. "We are going to take advantage of who is here and we are going to try and win the game with them. That's the idea and mentality we plan to have since the first minute. .. Bring in the three points."
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
[sidebar]Where to watch
What: Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles vs. Diablos Rojos de Toluca
When: Sunday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.
Where: Estadio Nemesio Diez Stadium (La Bombonera)
TV: Televisa and Telemundo
Outlook: Tijuana is in desperate need for a win and a victory against Toluca would mean earning some respect in front of a national television audience in both Mexico and the United States. The match could also be crucial for coach Joaquin del Olmo's future with the club. The player transfer window has closed so there are no other possible roster changes for the remainder of the tournament.[/sidebar]
