The jeers came from the stands.
They were loud enough to make sure they could be heard on the field Sunday, particularly directed to one player.
That would be Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles' Duvier Riascos.
Tijuana's forward heard the long "boos" every time he touched the ball.
Riascos silenced the jeers momentarily when he scored seven minutes into a Week 5 match-up that helped the Xolos to a 1-1 draw against host Puebla.
Tijuana mustered another point in the standings thanks to Riascos' goal and thanks to Luis Garcia's penalty kick for Puebla in the 26th minute.
But Riascos could have silenced the boos for good against Puebla.
Riascos, who became a fan favorite after becoming Puebla's leading scorer in the previous tournament, missed a clear chance to give the Xolos the win.
He got a piece of a centered pass but his header bounced off Puebla's right upright with the goalkeeper beat and no defender in sight.
A second goal by Riascos could have been gratifying for the Colombian national and much more important for his team.
The Xolos, instead, will settle for eight points in the standings after starting the Clausura tournament unbeaten and raking in seven points before losing to tournament leader, Santos Laguna, at home last week.
Tijuana is now 2-1-2 in the Clausura tournament and 4-1-8 under coach Antonio Mohamed. They return to Tijuana for a home match against Cruz Azul on Sunday.
As for this week, Tijuana lost its early lead after Puebla striker García converted the penalty with a pinpoint shot to the left of Xolos goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo.
The penalty kick came as a result of a Javier Gandolfi foul on Damarcus Beasley in the left side of the penalty box. Gandolfi appeared to hook Beasley's left leg while sliding and trying to steal the ball with his right foot.
Tijuana lost the lead and some momentum after the PK.
It was the Xolos who set the early fast-paced match with Riascos' early goal and both teams pushing up field with an attack.
Riascos scored off an Edgar Castillo pass, much to the fans' dislike.
Castillo sped past a defender then filtered a rolling pass to his right in between two defenders. Riascos finished the play with a right-footed rolling shot into the back of the net.
The teams headed into halftime tied.
Neither team came out with a sense of urgency early in the second half.
It wasn't until Puebla created a couple of clear scoring opportunities that the game picked up.
Puebla's Roberto Juárez had a shot at giving his team the lead in the 73rd minute when he sent a header of his own wide left of Saucedo.
Puebla (1-1-3, five points) would have another shot in the 80th minute when Bryan Martínez sent a right-footed blast but it bounced just wide left of the Xolos' goal.
Both of Puebla's late opportunities were dangerous but perhaps not as dangerous as Riascos' header that bounced off the upright.
It might be a play Riascos will not forget and Puebla fans will continue to appreciate. They won't be booing about that.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
