TIJUANA – It was a highly anticipated party the first time around.
Tijuana had a futbol team in the Mexican Primera División, the nation's top-flight soccer league.
The city was ready. Estadio Caliente got a mini make-over: new team uniforms, new big screen scoreboard, personal seats instead of cement bleachers. New locker rooms and a state of the art press room were also installed. Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles was ready for elite competition.
Or was it?
On Friday night, the Xolos enter their second tournament in the First Division when they open the Clausura tournament in Morelia in a Week 1 match-up. But is the team ascended from the Liga de Acenso ready to earn a prolonged stay with the likes of Club América, Cruz Azul, Pumas and Chivas de Guadalajara, some of Mexico's best teams?
Tijuana finished near the bottom of the standing in the 2011 Apertura tournament after enduring a mid-season coaching change and failing to hold on and win matches in which it dominated opponents.
This time, there is little margin for error. Fail to win enough and it's back to the Second Division. Estudiantes Tecos sits at the bottom of the relegation percentage standings.
The Xolos do have one thing in favor for this tournament: The team comes in having won all four exhibition matches and with an eight-game unbeaten streak in the 2011 Apertura under coach Antonio "El Turco" Mohamed.
The core of starters from the last tournament returns. And the team acquired new players in the off-season: U.S. national team players Edgar Castillo and Greg Garza, plus Alfredo González and Colombian forward Duvier Rascos.
The latter could be a key element to the Xolos attack. Tijuana lacked a true striker in the previous season despite the signing of Colombian striker Dayro Moreno.
Sure, the Xolos also have forward José Sand, but their offense was considered anemic. Riascos is expected to help boost the attack. After all, he is coming off his first season in Mexican soccer in which he scored six goals. Combined with Moreno, the two could create a dangerous tandem.
That is if Moreno remains with Tijuana. There have been rumors circulating that he could be on his way out. Moreno has been linked to the Argentine club Independiente. Fox Sports Latinoamérica reported earlier this week that Moreno's agent is in talks with the club and there could be a possible agreement.
The Xolos did not immediate comment on the issue but Mohamed will be without Moreno against Morelia. The Xolos front office said he was in a car crash in his native Colombia last weekend. The club said Moreno suffered minor injuries and is in good condition but will not be ready to play. Moreno missed practices this week.
Without Moreno in the short term or long run, Tijuana still has plenty of weapons at its disposal with Sand, Riascos and team veteran Raul Enriquez on top. The midfield and defense returns all of its starters despite the back line giving up a handful of soft goals that led to gut-wrenching losses last tournament.
"The idea is to maintain a base and continue insisting that this team has to win more games and tie less," Mohamed said. "We have to be contingent up front. We've solidified our base there and we've maintained our defense, which has to overwhelm the opposition. We should not negotiate our attitude. We have to continue to play all our games with attitude. We are very excited to begin this tournament."
So is Tijuana. The city is ready for another celebration. This time the fans hope it's for good.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
[sidebar]Week One action
What: Xolos at Morelia
When: Friday, Jan. 6, 5:55 p.m. (Tijuana time)
Where: Estadio Morelos
TV: Azteca América
Outlook: This match begins the 2012 Clausura tournament but for the Xolos it is the start to a very important season. The Xolos are fighting to remain in the First Division. It is looking to make a mark and remain in Mexico's top league. As for Morelia, it is coming off a second-consecutive season in which it lost in the semifinals. Both teams met in the 2011 Apertura season at Estadio Caliente. Morelia beat Tijuana 2-1 in the Xolos debut in the First Division.
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