SAN DIEGO – Club Tijuana won the San Diego Clasico with a dominating 5-2 over Major League Soccer (MLS) club Chivas USA at Torero stadium, University of San Diego campus. With a team full of back-up players and a one man advantage, Xolos were able to overwhelm their MLS counterparts.
Argentine Leandro Fernandez scored a double for Xolos in the second half becoming one of the game’s stand-out players.
“When we hit the field we have to play like we’re playing for the full points,” said Fernandez who scored the third and fifth goals of the match. Fernandez saw goalkeeper Dan Kennedy off his line and fired a rocket that curved into the top corner for the third goal. “I got the ball on the outside. I like to kick from the outside so I took the shot and it went in. It was a beautiful goal.”
Michael Lahoud put the MLS squad on the board in the 36th minute of play after burying a pass from Englishman Ryan Smith in the Xolos net.
The Aztec dogs increased their attack, while the goats held their ground charging on counterstrike opportunities. Both teams had players that showed great potential. The combination of Lahoud and Smith gave the Mexican squad problems. While Fernandez and Bruno Piceno linked on several plays to drive the ball deep into Chivas territory.
The game changing play came in the 50th minute when Miller Bolaños received a direct red card for elbowing Piceno. The Ecuadoran' expulsion gave Xolos the initiative to go on the offensive.
Raul Enriquez would get Xolos on the board seven minutes later with a header from a corner kick to tie the game 1-1. With the one man advantage the game turned into a "turkey shoot." Xolos players took shots on Kennedy’s net from all directions.
The rojinegros took the lead when Mauro Gerk scored off a header. The Argentine hit the ball to the floor. The bounce was too much for Kennedy who tapped the ball out after it had crossed the line over his head for the 2-1.
With Tijuana in control of the game, the fans began their chants of “Ole!” on every pass made by the border town squad.
The Xolos were firmly in control of the ball when Fernandez scored his first goal. He saw Kennedy off his line and fired away to put the ball in the top corner giving Xolos a 3-1 lead.
The Rebaño Angelino lost control as Xolos increased their attack. Midfielder Noe Maya was taken down in the penalty box. The referee did not hesitate to call the foul, awarding Xolos a kick from the penalty spot. Maya took the shot himself beating a diving Kennedy. Xolos commanded the field with a 4-1 lead.
The MLS squad would not go down easy. Nick LaBrocca took a free kick a few yards outside the box in the 86th minute of play. Casey Townsend lost his marker and headed the ball into an open net to close the gap 4-2.
An error by the Chivas defense brought the final goal of the night. Fernandez took the ball from a defender outside the penalty box. He came face-to-face with Kennedy and fired to set the final nail on the coffin for the 5-2 victory.
“We need to keep training for the upcoming season,” said Chivas USA player Cesar Romero who came in as a substitution in the second half. “Unfortunately losing a man affected us on the pitch tonight. The only thing we can do now is keep working so we’re ready for the new season.”
Xolos will face Toluca on Saturday in regular league play. Chivas USA is in preseason and will play against the Houston Dynamo at the Home Depot Center on March 11, 2012.
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