GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Club Tijuana defeated Atlante 2-1 in Cancún on Sunday to record their first road victory in Liga MX since January 20, 2013.
Three Americans were involved for Xolos, who moved into sixth place in the Liga MX Clausura table, needing just a point next Friday at home to León to guarantee a spot in the postseason.
Edgar Castillo started the game and went close to scoring in the 67th when he burst clean through on goal, but he pulled his shot inches wide of the post.
At that point in the game, the score was 1-1 and Xolos were throwing players forward, with Herculez Gomez entering the field up front in the 58th and Joe Corona coming on in the 83rd.
With both Tijuana and already-relegated Atlante – for whom Jonathan Bornstein wasn’t in the 18 – pushing for the winner, Corona passed the ball square in midfield to Argentine Darío Benedetto, who launched a fierce shot into the top corner of the goal from 30 yards.
Atlante had a chance to equalize from the penalty spot in the 88th, but Roberto Gutiérrez hit a weak penalty that Tijuana 'keeper Adrián Zermeño saved comfortably.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
