Tijuana Xolos: Oscar Pareja Talks About the Return of Joe Corona
Credit: Mexsport
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Xolos will start their 2019 Clausura season this Saturday as new manager Oscar Pareja looks to start his Liga MX career positively against Chivas de Guadalajara.
The Border City Dogs have not been very active in the current transfer window, but did sign veteran Argentine centre-back Diego Braghieri and San Diego native and fan favorite Joe Corona.
The American midfielder is coming fresh off winning the 2018 Apertura title with Club America and Oscar Pareja talked about the importance of having a player like Corona at the club in a recent press conference. Pareja said, “I think he’s a great addition for us, Joe has been part of this franchise for many years and has been part of the development of the team.”
Pareja also mentioned that Corona is very “committed” and that he is a player that he has been keeping a close eye on for several years due to his involvement with the United States national team.
Club Tijuana has a very crowded midfield with players like Diego Rodriguez, Diego Gonzalez, Luis Chavez, and Ignacio Rivero, but Corona should eventually be able to crack the starting eleven.
The San Diego native has deep ties to the Xoloitzcuintles as Pareja mentioned as he has nearly 200 league appearances with Club Tijuana dating back to 2010. Corona was part of the Xolos’ team that gained promotion to the Liga MX in 2010 as well as the team that won the first and only Liga MX title in the 2012 Apertura.
The 28-year-old has deep ties to the organization and the fans and will serve as a leader to most of the players to get the culture of the area and the club across to his teammates.
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.