His shot bent inches outside the left post and into the side of the net.
Leandro Augusto's shot via a free kick could have been a game-changing play had it squeezed into the goal during Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles' 2-1 loss at Cruz Azul last Saturday.
Had the Brazilian-born and Mexican naturalized midfielder scored, it would have given the Xolos a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Tijuana could have kept the momentum or fallen apart, as it had previously done in a match against Monterrey in which the team led 2-0 before allowing four unanswered goals.
The Xolos also blew a 1-0 lead against Puebla earlier this month despite dominating in virtually both of those matches.
On any given game day, you don't know which Xolos team you will get.
That is something coach Joaquin del Olmo does not want.
The Xolos need to win and they need to do it soon.
The growing pains will probably continue but this team feels it has enough talent to rake in points after showing it can compete with some of the Primera División's top dogs. Tijuana took a 1-0 lead against Cruz Azul, one of Mexico's more popular and powerhouse teams.
It defended well against Cruz Azul and waited for the counter-attack. It worked to an extent. The Xolos caught Cruz Azul's backline off guard when Dayro Moreno scored in the 22 minute off a deep pass. He sent the pass between the legs of Cruz Azul goalkeeper Yosgart Gutierrez.
But just as Tijuana can lead a match and be the dominant team, the Xolos can also let the momentum slip away and come away with no points.
Since beating Santos Laguna 3-1 on Aug. 6, the Xolos have yet to score a second-half goal. Jose Sand and Moreno's goals against Monterrey are the only scores that have come in the second half.
The Xolos (1-3-1) play at home Sunday against Queretaro. It can be the opportunity Tijuana needs to add points. It won't get easier after that as Tijuana will host Chivas de Guadalajara on Sept. 2 and then travel to face Toluca at the hostile Nemecio Diez Stadium.
Only time will tell if the Xolos will convert those close calls, those shots that glaze the uprights, into shots that find the back of the net.
Scoring streak
If there is a bright spot in the Xolos' recent struggles to win games it is Moreno. The Colombian striker continues to pay off for Tijuana. He has become the dangerous attacker del Olmo was looking for in his starting lineup.
[/p]
Four games, four goals. Moreno has found the net in every match he's played in with the Xolos. He has scored in the last four matches after missing the Apertura Tournament opener against Morelia while he was in Argentina playing with the Colombian national team during the Copa América.
Moreno joined the club for the Monterrey match July 30. He hasn't stopped scoring since. Moreno is tied for second place in the leading scorers' list, one goal behind Club America's Christian Benitez. Santos Laguna's Oribe Peralta also has four goals.
Benched early
[/p]
Midfielder Joe Corona has been put in what appears to be a routine.
The kid from National City has been sent to the bench early or midway through the second half in the last four matches.
"That's the coach's decision," Corona said when asked about being subbed for. "You can't control that. The coach has his reasons for it."
Del Olmo didn't say why he has subbed Corona, a player who gives the Xolos a diverse style of play and creativity on the right wing and center of the field. Corona played the entire match against Morelia.
Del Olmo has subbed Javier Jacuzzi for Corona in the 65th minute against Cruz Azul. He sent in Luis Orozco in the 69th minute against Puebla, Mauro Ger in the 89th and Yacuzzi again 10 minutes into the second half of Tijuana's match at Monterrey. All for Corona.
The moves could be considered questionable since Tijuana is yet to score in the second half since beating Santos Laguna. Corona has two goals in the tournament.
Though he can't be happy at being benched, Corona does have something to smile about. This week he was invited to play in Mexico's U-22 team for the match against Chile on Sept. 2 in San Luis Potosí.
The invitation fulfills one of Corona's dreams: To play for a national team.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
[/p]
[sidebar]Where to watch
What: Club Tijuana at Cruz Azul
When: Sunday, Aug. 28, Noon
Where:
Estadio Caliente
Information: xolos.com.mx[/sidebar]
