TIJUANA -- The wait is over. The home team's debut as a First Division soccer team is Saturday.

Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles will host Morelia, last season's runner-up, at Estadio Caliente in what will go down as a historic event for the city.

A sell-out crowd will be expected to pack the 16,000-seat stadium, most of them wearing Tijuana's colors, red and black. "La Masacre," the team's rowdy supporters who stand, beat drums and scream out chants throughout the game, will be in full force. Think big party.

But it will not be the first time a First Division match is played in Tijuana. Local media and some longtime soccer fans might remember the first official First Division match. It took place June 11, 1989. Puebla beat Santos Laguna 4-1 at what is now the Potros de Tijuana baseball stadium in the Cerro Colorado area of the city.

Regardless, Tijuana has never had its own team play in Mexico's top soccer circuit. Think NFL or Major League Baseball compared to Triple-A.

Tijuana has previously had its own soccer teams. All were minor league ones. The city has collected a list of them, none making the promotion to the First Division: Tijuana Stars, Club Inter de Tijuana, Chivas Tijuana, Nacional de Tijuana, Trotamundos Tijuana and Dorados de Tijuana.

Then came the Xolos, founded in 2007. The Xolos moved up the ranks by winning the 2010 title in the second division Liga de Ascenso and then beating Irapuato in a playoff in May.

Club Tijuana is slated to play against some of North America's top teams, among them

Club America, Chivas de Guadalajara, Cruz Azul and defending Mexican champion, Pumas UNAM.

But the first test is Morelia, a team that beat Cruz Azul in the last tournament semifinals and lost to Pumas in the title match.

"It will be the first game in Tijuana in the history of the franchise but for me, we must control our emotions," said Xolos coach Joaquin del Olmo. "We must not deviate and focus on earning the three points."

Every point will be crucial for the Xolos. They must win enough to remain in the First Division and avoid demotion.

That is something team owners are well aware of. The team went on to make some key signings and added notable players to the roster in the off season.

Argentine Marcelo Gandolfi signed a four-year contract. The team captain was an integral part of the team's success. He also brings experience in the First Division. Gandolfi was under contract with Jaguares de Chiapas before coming to play with the Xolos.

He has played four tournaments with the Xolos. He has international experience. He played for Argentine Clubs Arsenal de Sarandí, River Plate and Talleres.

"He's an important player who helped make our promotion possible," said team president Jorgealberto Hank. "Now we expect him to help us in the First Division."

Gandolfi was a priority for the team. And so was Joe Corona.

The Xolos signed the National City native shortly after earning their promotion. Keeping Corona was an important move for Tijuana. He was the driving fuel in the Xolos' win against Irapuato. He scored a goal and helped set up another one.

He is perhaps the Xolos' best offensive player.

He's a fan favorite. And he's also an important figure to the team because he is a local kid.

Club Tijuana signed a second local figure with much more experience. Former Mexican national team player Fernando Arce was added in June. Leandro Augusto, who spent more than 10 years with Pumas, is another notable addition.

Colombian-born striker Dayro Moreno could be the team's best off-season signing. He is regarded as a high-caliber player. He reportedly signed a three-year deal worth $3.5 million.

"We built a team to survive the day-to-day needs and to fight for a slot in the post season," del Olmo said. "We are focusing on Morelia right now but I have a good team that can face anything."

Some challenges the team will face is completing construction of the stadium that is supposed to seat at least 30,000. There were plans to add 4,000 seats this season. More luxury boxes will probably be installed. The stadium will need lights. Steel towers for lights have already been installed on two sides of the stadium.

Most matches have been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday with 5 and 1 p.m. kickoff times, respectively. There will be some Wednesday night games, as well.

The dirt parking lots will probably have to be expanded. A press box with working wireless Internet will have to be installed to handle the demand of not only the local but international media, especially when the big clubs come to town.

One of those clubs is Guadalajara. It has already postponed their Aug. 3 match in Tijuana, opting to play in a friendly against Spanish giant Barcelona in Miami.

So, respect is another thing the Xolos will need to earn.

ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com