GUADALAJARA, Mexico — The name Joe Corona will go down in the annals of Club Tijuana history after the Southern Californian scored the outfit’s first ever goal in the Primera División against Monarcas Morelia on Saturday.
Corona, 21, scored on the stroke of halftime with a tap-in after midfielder Leandro forced a smart save from the Morelia ‘keeper. Although Tijuana lost 2-1 on their debut in the Mexican top flight, it was only due to a late penalty. In general, the Xolos forced the play against last season’s finalists and were unfortunate that Corona wasn’t awarded a penalty late in the game.
Corona played all 90 minutes and caught the eye in an excellent debut for the midfielder. His name was trending on Twitter in Mexico for two hours after the game.
Equally pleased with his debut will be DaMarcus Beasley, who started for Puebla in their 1-0 victory away at Atlas. Beasley provided a constant threat alongside fellow forwards Luis García and Gabriel Pereyra. In the 23rd minute, the 29-year-old almost put Puebla in the lead. The Indiana native was the first to congratulate Spaniard García on his chipped penalty goal on 54 minutes and put in his share of defensive work after Puebla went down to ten men in the 69th minute.
Puebla dominated the game and looks in good shape for the Apertura 2011. Beasley was taken off in the 88th minute.
Things weren’t so rosy for José Francisco Torres as Pachuca fell to a 4-1 defeat against Santos. Torres played the full 90 minutes in his customary midfield role but was unable to do anything to stop Santos running riot. It’s back to the drawing board for coach Efraín Flores.
Torres will meet Beasley next weekend as the Tuzos travel to Puebla.
It was always going to be a difficult opener for San Luis playing away at current champions Pumas UNAM. The home team controlled the game though and overcame the Potosinos 2-0. Michael Orozco Fiscal took up his place at the heart of the San Luis defense and looked solid as he completed the full 90 minutes. The former Philadelphia Union defender native was booked on 40 minutes for pushing and shoving in the penalty box.
Next week, Orozco Fiscal will be charged with stopping Herculez Gomez and his Estudiantes Tecos side when the two teams clash Saturday. Gomez did everything but score in his team’s home loss against Toluca on Friday evening. The former Pachuca and Puebla striker hit the woodwork twice and had a seemingly good goal disallowed.
Edgar Castillo came off the bench in the 65th for Club América is their 2-1 victory over Querétaro. Isaac Acuña was an unused substitute.
US national-teamer Jonathan Bornstein didn’t make the bench for Tigres UANL’ 1-1 draw with Cruz Azul, as was the case for Sonny Guadarrama in Atlante’s 2-0 loss in Cancún against CD Guadalajara. Miguel Ángel Ponce, who played for Mexico in the Copa América, completed a full 90 minutes for Chivas.
Tom Marshall can be reached at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com or via Twitter: @mexicoworldcup
