Tijuana Xolos: Academy players key in Mexico’s gold medal at Central American and Caribbean Games
Credit: Mexico National Team
This Thursday, July 6, Mexico’s U-23 national soccer team played the final of the Central American and Caribbean Games against Costa Rica in Santa Tecla, El Salvador.
Mexico came away with the gold medal, defeating Costa Rica 2-1 in the final, thanks to a pair of goals by Tijuana native Ettson Ayon.
Ayon was not the only Xolos’ youth academy part of this championship team, as Eduardo Armenta also started this game and provided an assist on one of the goals. The first goal of the match for Mexico came in the 21st minute when Rodrigo Huescas crossed the ball into the penalty area and found Bryan Gonzalez, who lost the ball. However, the ball went straight to Ettson Ayon, who scored with a powerful shot from inside of the box.
Armenta and Ayon connected on the second goal of the night in the 53rd minute, as Ayon shrugged off a Costa Rican defender to find Armenta, who then crossed the ball back to Ayon, who finished the scoring play with a strike within the penalty area. Mexico did a fine job defending the lead to close out the game and come away with a 2-1 victory and a gold medal from this competition.
Both Club Tijuana academy players played a key role in this accomplishment, Ayon scored three goals in the tournament, while Armenta was solid in the midfield.
Armenta is currently a Tijuana Xolos player and will be available for the team starting in Week 3 of the Liga MX Apertura season when Xolos host Cruz Azul at the Estadio Caliente on July 15. The 21-year-old played ten games last season and started seven of those matches, as he is likely to get some decent playing time when he rejoins the team.
Ettson Ayon is not currently with the Xoloitzcuintles but is on loan with Queretaro, as the border city team has the option of getting him back next season. The 22-year-old striker is a Tijuana native and has been a part of Club Tijuana’s franchise since 2016. Ayon scored two goals in just five games as a starter last season and will hope to get more playing time in Queretaro.
The Tijuana Xolos will continue their 2023 Apertura season this Friday, July 7, when the team faces Necaxa at the Estadio Victoria in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.