GUADALAJARA, Mexico – American forward Paul Arriola got his Club Tijuana career off to a perfect start on Saturday evening by scoring in Xolos’ 5-2 victory against Club América in San Diego’s Petco Park.
The 18-year-old Chula Vista, Calif., native (pictured above while a member of the LA Galaxy Academy) struck a low shot from distance in the 54th minute for Tijuana’s fifth goal after coming on as a substitute in the preseason San Diego Clásico.
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Left back Greg Garza featured from the start of the game and went close with an effort on the half-hour mark, while US-born Bruno Piceno was also in the starting XI on the right wing.
Club Tijuana kick off their Liga MX campaign on July 19 against Atlas, but will be without USMNT trio Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo and Herculez Gomez, who are all with the national team for the Gold Cup.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
