GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Young forward Paul Arriola again made his mark in just his second appearance for Club Tijuana, setting up the team’s only goal in their 2-1 loss at Morelia in the Liga MX on Saturday.
Arriola – one of four Americans to feature for Xolos – entered the field in the 63rd minute and just one minute later assisted his team’s lone strike.
The Chula Vista, Calif., native received the ball by the corner flag, tunneled the ball through José María Cárdenas’ legs, switched onto his left foot and whipped in a perfect left-footed cross for Ecuadorian Fidel Martínez to tap in.
The 18-year-old former LA Galaxy youth also made an assist in his debut for Tijuana against Atlas.
Greg Garza, Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona all also started for Xolos. Garza played his third full 90 minutes of the season at left back, with Castillo featuring on the left side of midfield until he was brought off for Arriola.
Corona struggled in his first start of the season in central midfield and was brought off at halftime for Emmanuel Cerda.
Tijuana have now gone 1-1-1 in their first three games of the Apertura season.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. Contact him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
