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Club Tijuana defeated Puebla, 6-2, at the Estadio Caliente. Americans Paul Arriola and Joe Corona contributed to the victory.
After committing a penalty leading to Puebla’s first goal, Arriola redeemed himself by assisting on Aviles Hurtado’s fast break goal:
#PorSiNoLoViste 2do G⚽⚽⚽L de Avilés Hurtado@Xolos 2-1 @ClubPueblaMX#J2CL2017 #LIGABancomerMX
— LIGA Bancomer MX (@LIGABancomerMX) January 14, 2017
⚽ #SienteTuLiga ⚽ #AbrazadosPorElFutbol pic.twitter.com/g1yY1sbsPE
Not content with just an assist, Arriola scored the game winning goal in the 61st minute, volleying in a shot from the right side of the box:
#PorSiNoLoViste G⚽⚽⚽LAAAAZO de Paul Arriola@Xolos 3-2 @ClubPueblaMX#J2CL2017 #LIGABancomerMX
— LIGA Bancomer MX (@LIGABancomerMX) January 14, 2017
⚽ #SienteTuLiga ⚽ #AbrazadosPorElFutbol pic.twitter.com/3y9SmkuYlJ
Corona entered the match as a substitute in the 63rd minute, replacing Juan Carlos Medina. He scored in the 84th minute after pouncing on loose ball:
#PorSiNoLoViste G⚽⚽⚽L de Joe Corona@Xolos 6-2 @ClubPueblaMX#J2CL2017 #LIGABancomerMX
— LIGA Bancomer MX (@LIGABancomerMX) January 14, 2017
⚽ #SienteTuLiga ⚽ #AbrazadosPorElFutbol pic.twitter.com/WTn8tVnDCc
It was a return to Tijuana’s lineup for Corona, who spent last season on loan in the second division with Sinaloa and earned a contract extension.
Tijuana is currently 1-1 in the Torneo Clasura after starting the season with a 2-0 loss to Monarcas. Xolos finished the Torneo Apertura regular season in first place, but fell to Leon in the quarterfinals of the Liguilla.
Both Arriola and Corona could make an impact in upcoming World Cup qualifiers, as Bruce Arena and the USMNT are looking for new blood. Many players, particularly attackers, have turned an upswing in form into a national team breakthrough.