Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles plays its final match of the Apertura tournament Sunday.
The team that was promoted to Mexico's top flight league, the Primera División, last spring travels to Mexico City to face defending champion Pumas UNAM in hostile Estadio Universitario.
The Xolos first stint in this division will come to an end, as Tijuana failed to qualify for the playoffs this tournament. And the match against Pumas could be the last time you will get to see the Xolos in their current state.
Several roster changes could come in the off-season.
There could be additions to the club, which struggled to generate goals and when it took the lead it failed to hold on early in the season. In many games the Xolos controlled possession and at times were the dominant team but could not win.
But that was before the club fired Joaquín del Olmo and replaced him with Antonio "El Turco" Mohamed as coach.
Tijuana hasn't lost in seven games since Mohamed took over in late September. The Xolos are 2-0-5 under his reign. The club could easily be 3-0-4 if it wasn't for a missed penalty kick by striker Dayro Moreno in the final minutes of a home match against San Luis last week.
Moreno could have given the Xolos the win and a much needed three points. Instead, he sent his PK wide to the right of the San Luis goal. The match ended in a scoreless draw. It was a moment fans in the sold-out Estadio Caliente couldn't believe. Some skeptics even wondered if Moreno missed the kick intentionally.
After all, rumors surfaced that the Colombian striker wants out of Tijuana. He told reporters from Mexico City that "it would be nice" to play for Club América, a team that is said to have interest in him. Chances are Moreno will remain in a Xolos uniform for the next tournament. The club spent a considerable amount to sign him, reportedly $3.5 million per year.
And then there is the chance that Uruguayan national Egidio Arevalo might also be on the move. Reports surfaced that he is comfortable in Tijuana but would not shoot down an offer that could pay him more. Clubs in Argentina and even Major League Soccer are said to have drawn interest.
Then there is midfielder Joe Corona. The homegrown player signed a new deal with the club last summer but has appeared to fall out of Mohamed's plans. Corona has spent the last part of the schedule on the bench. He's been a sub, coming in late in several games.
Corona wouldn't say much about the situation other than he respects Mohamed's choice to keep him on the bench.
"I guess he chose to go with more experienced players," Corona said earlier this year. "Joaquin (del Olmo) gave me a chance to be a starter, so I could only hope I get that shot again."
But does that mean Corona could be a starter with the Xolos or elsewhere?
Corona was recently called to the U.S. U-23 (Olympic) club. What if the 21-year-old from National City who made his way up the ranks in the Xolos youth system performs well with the United States? What if he does well enough to play in the Olympics in London next year and catches the eye of a different club?
Will Mohamed than want to start Corona or will the Xolos let Corona loose to another team?
Corona didn't want to speculate.
"If I play well (with the United States), I hope the coach (Mohamed) gives me the shot to start again," Corona said.
Corona is one of a group of midfielders whose future with the Xolos could be in jeopardy. Brazilian-born and naturalized Mexican Leandro Augusto and Tijuana native Fernando Arce could also be question marks. They are both veteran players who are considered to be on the last end of their careers.
Will they return? Retire? Does the Xolos administration think they can still keep up?
Those answers could come this off-season.
For Sunday, the Xolos (3-5-8, 17 points) will focus on Pumas (7-6-3, 24 points).
The team wants to move further away from the bottom of the relegation percentage standings. Tijuana is second to last, ahead of Estudiantes Tecos. Tijuana needs to come away with points at Pumas to stay away from the cellar. A win would be ideal.
"We are doing well as of late and we want to close out the tournament that way," said Xolos defender Juan Pablo Santiago. "We are not doing all that bad in the points standings. This game against Pumas is important because Pumas is also looking for points to qualify for the playoffs."
Pumas is the clear favorite but don't tell Tijuana that.
"It's going to be a tough game at their house on a difficult field, with their fans, which we know support their team during the entire game," said Xolos forward Ismael Iñiguez. "Pumas is a team that could also let up when things don't go their way as it has happened to them on occasions. We have to work and play with the confidence that we can win the game."
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
