Club Tijuana's official website has a new design.
At the top left corner of the home page you can find a picture of team captain Javier Gandolfi celebrating a goal.
Teammate Egidio Arevalo is riding his back while others cheer behind them.
The picture depicts the moment Gandolfi scored the game-winning goal against Monterrey on Jan. 14. It was a moment that might turn out to be turning point.
It was that goal and Tijuana's 2-0 win at Guadalajara last week that boosted the club to a three-way tie atop of the league standings with seven points.
But come Sunday afternoon, coach Antonio Mohamed's squad will face another crucial point in the 2012 Clausura tournament.
The Xolos host Santos Laguna at an expected sold out Estadio Caliente in a Week 4 match-up.
Toluca is the other team tied for first with seven points.
A win for the Xolos against Santos and it might just mean the Xolos have truly arrived in a league of storied franchises with multiple titles.
Tijuana is unbeaten in its last 12 matches since Mohamed took over for the fired Joaquin del Olmo last summer.
Mohamed has been able to field a squad that has put together a fluid brand of soccer.
But don't tell him his team could become a real threat in the league.
"We must remain humble and keep on the same track," Mohamed said on the team's website, updated to commemorate the club's fifth anniversary. "We must work as a team and feel comfortable playing at home and make it difficult for the visitors."
Making things difficult for Santos could be a challenge. Santos is one of Mexico's hottest teams. It is unbeaten this season with a 2-0-1 record, including back-to-back wins. Santos is also the runner-up in the Apertura tournament.
But recent history favors the Xolos.
Tijuana earned its first win in the First Division against Santos on the road in the previous tournament.
"They are a team that has a base with great players," said Xolos defender Juan Pablo Santiago. "They've played in a lot of finals in recent years. They are a unit."
And so are the Xolos.
At least that is how it appears, for now.
A win and the Xolos stay at the top of the standings and move a bit further away from the bottom of the relegation standings. Staying in the First Division come the end of the tournament in April would be another memorable moment. Maybe even worth another iconic photo on the team's new website.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
[sidebar]Game day
What: Santos at Tijuana
When: Sunday, Jan. 29, 12 p.m.
Where: Estadio Caliente
TV: Azteca América
[/sidebar]
