Sports

Xolos take on toughest foe yet: Cruz Azul

Mexico City team is one of the most popular ones.

He is regarded as perhaps the top off-season acquisition.

Dayro Moreno was advertised as a goal scorer, a spark in the attack before signing with Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles earlier this summer.

And he hasn't disappointed, so far.

Tijuana is four matches into its first stint in the Mexican Primera División in the Apertura Tournament.

Moreno has scored in each of the three games he's played in. Moreno sits second in the scoring leader's list for the entire league, one behind Santos Laguna's Oribe Peralta.

Moreno's early success could mean he has smoothly transitioned into the club after he signed a three-year deal that was reported to be worth $3.5 million.

It is an investment the Xolos will probably not regret, especially when the Colombian is sending spectacular goals into the back of the net. That was the way he gave the Xolos a 1-0 lead against Puebla last week, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Moreno struck a ball from about 30-yards out from left to right. The ball sailed through the penalty area and arched over defenders and the goalkeeper into the upper-left corner of the net. The free kick captivated the crowd at Estadio Caliente.

That is the type of plays the Xolos and Moreno hope to continue to create on the field as both parties continue to adapt to each other. Moreno to the club and the club to Moreno's style of play.

Moreno said he is comfortable in the club's system under head coach Joaquin del Olmo.

"I met the professor (del Olmo) in Colombia," Moreno said. "Besides being a good worker, he knows about soccer. He is a friend and a great person and that is very important to a relationship between a player and coach.

"The truth is I am content in Tijuana. The people, my teammates, the team owners, they have all meshed nicely. That is important in a player's confidence when it comes to being comfortable when it is time to step on the field and work."

The next opportunity to work is Saturday when the Xolos travel to Mexico City to take on Cruz Azul in a Week 6 match-up. Cruz Azul is one of Mexico's more popular clubs.

Cruz Azul (2-1-2) is a semifinalist in Clausura Tournament, having lost to runner up Morelia.

It is a storied franchise that has been a dominating force in recent years but has not won a league title since 1997. Cruz Azul is regarded as one of the "big four" clubs in Mexico along with defending champion Pumas UNAM, Chivas Guadalajara and Club América.

The match against Cruz Azul is considered the Xolos' toughest yet. Cruz Azul has a roster of seasoned veterans and experienced youngsters. "La Maquina," as Cruz Azul is known, sits in third place in the tournament standings with eight points.

The Xolos (1-2-1) are still trying to figure out how to win games after dominating previous matches but failing to rake in valuable points. Tijuana is No. 14 in the standings with four points.

But Tijuana is confident if Moreno continues to score and the team begins to mesh with the Colombian striker, things should work to the club's advantage.

In the meantime, Moreno hopes to live up to the hype that came with his signing as the tournament continues

ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com

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