Tijuana Xolos: Remembering The Great Mauro Gerk Ahead of Queretaro Clash
Credit: Notimex
The Tijuana Xolos will host Queretaro at the Estadio Caliente this Friday for their sixth game this season.
Over the years there have been a few players that have played for both Queretaro and Club Tijuana, including Yasser Corona and Javier Guemez.
But arguably the most notable player that has represented both sides has to be the current Xolos’ assistant coach, Mauro Gerk. The former striker was impactful for both franchises and is probably one of the better goalscorers Mexico’s second division has seen.
The Argentine had two separate stints with Queretaro, first from the Apertura 2005 until the Clausura 2007, then from Apertura 2008 to the Apertura 2009. In this stint, Gerk scored 58 goals in 107 league appearances in both the Liga MX and the Ascenso MX for Los Gallos Blancos and terrorized teams in the Ascenso MX, including Club Tijuana.
The Xolos decided that if you cannot beat him, just buy him, as the team signed Mauro Gerk for the Bicentenario 2010 tournament.
The South American forward scored eight goals in 16 appearances in his initial season with the Aztec Canines and went on to score 16 goals with the border city team in 57 league appearances from 2010-2012. Gerk showed his worth in the 2011 Ascenso MX final against Irapuato that promoted Club Tijuana to the Liga MX. The first leg between the two teams ended 0-0 in Irapuato, but the return leg in Tijuana ended 2-1 in the Xolos’ favor, and Gerk played a role in both goals. The Argentine gave an assist to Joe Corona with a header for the first goal and then scored the second goal to seal the Xoloitzcuintles’ place in Mexico’s top division.
The now Xolos’ assistant coach had also helped Queretaro reach promotion two times before being the hero for Club Tijuana.
Gerk was known as “El Tanque”, or the tank, because of his physical presence and ability to just charge at the opposition.
He will always be remembered by both Queretaro and Xolos fans as he played a vital role in the history of both teams. Gerk will try to continue to make history as Diego Cocca’s assistant coach as Club Tijuana is off to a promising start to this Clausura 2018.
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.