I have attended several games this season of the Xoloitzcuintles, a professional soccer team in Tijuana, which plays in Primera Division A - the second division in Mexico.
It has been quite exciting really, as the team is poised to become the first team ever from Tijuana to ascend to the first division.
They are currently down 1-0 after losing the first leg of the home-and-home with Merida, a team from Yucatan, known as the Bucks. The winner of the series will meet Queretero in the promotion final. Club Tijuana has lost just once in their last 40 home games. Should they take care of Merida on Sunday, it should be a bit easier against Queretero, who was just in the first division a couple of years ago, but slid to the middle of the pack in the recent Clausura, after winning the Apertura six months ago to earn their spot in the promotion final.
As someone who tries to experience different things in sports, this has been a real treat. Although it is widely perceived, and somewhat true, that it is dangerous to travel into Mexico right now, I have found the crowds at the games to being extremely family friendly. Sunday's game is sold out and I have to work so I will be unable to attend.
I was contacted via email by the soccer beat writer of the San Diego Union after I made a post under his soccer column about the lack of coverage of the "Xolos".
The team, which is owned by Jorge Hank Rhon, a wealthy mayor and controversial figure in Mexican politics with an arguably shady past, who owns Caliente, a sports and race book operation, and also owns the legendary Caliente Race Track, where he also owns a greyhound race track.
Estadio Caliente, which currently seats 13,333, and would have to be expanded to at least 18,000 should the team make it to the top division. The horseshoe stadium which is cement-style bleacher seating, will add seats to fill the bowl, and the field may be lowered.
The Caliente sportsbook will likely have to stop accepting wagers on Primera Division games should Club Tijuana earn promotion.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stor...ng-star-struggli/?sports/soccer&zIndex=102266
It has been quite exciting really, as the team is poised to become the first team ever from Tijuana to ascend to the first division.
They are currently down 1-0 after losing the first leg of the home-and-home with Merida, a team from Yucatan, known as the Bucks. The winner of the series will meet Queretero in the promotion final. Club Tijuana has lost just once in their last 40 home games. Should they take care of Merida on Sunday, it should be a bit easier against Queretero, who was just in the first division a couple of years ago, but slid to the middle of the pack in the recent Clausura, after winning the Apertura six months ago to earn their spot in the promotion final.
As someone who tries to experience different things in sports, this has been a real treat. Although it is widely perceived, and somewhat true, that it is dangerous to travel into Mexico right now, I have found the crowds at the games to being extremely family friendly. Sunday's game is sold out and I have to work so I will be unable to attend.
I was contacted via email by the soccer beat writer of the San Diego Union after I made a post under his soccer column about the lack of coverage of the "Xolos".
The team, which is owned by Jorge Hank Rhon, a wealthy mayor and controversial figure in Mexican politics with an arguably shady past, who owns Caliente, a sports and race book operation, and also owns the legendary Caliente Race Track, where he also owns a greyhound race track.
Estadio Caliente, which currently seats 13,333, and would have to be expanded to at least 18,000 should the team make it to the top division. The horseshoe stadium which is cement-style bleacher seating, will add seats to fill the bowl, and the field may be lowered.
The Caliente sportsbook will likely have to stop accepting wagers on Primera Division games should Club Tijuana earn promotion.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stor...ng-star-struggli/?sports/soccer&zIndex=102266
