The chants came reigning down from the stands at Estadio Caliente last September.

"Fuera, fuera, fuera." Out, out, out.

Those were the harsh words directed at the man displayed on the stadium's new sparkling video screen.

That would be Joaquin del Olmo, Club Tijuana Xoloitzchuintles former coach.

He was the man that had led the team to promotion into the First Division. He was an icon, to an extent until that September afternoon when the Xolos' faithful erupted in jeers for their teams coach.

The boos came after a 2-0 Xolos loss against Tecos, the team that eventually received relegation to the Liga de Ascenso or Second Division after the Apertura 2011 tournament.

Del Olmo, who was highly regarded by his players and by the city of Tijuana, was soon fired after that match. Players begged team administrators not to let the coach go to no avail. Del Olmo was gone after leading the Xolos to a 1-5-3 start.

Antonio Mohamed was hired to replace del Olmo a few days later.

Del Olmo returns to Tijuana Friday night when Pumas UNAM visits the Xolos in a Week 3 match up of the Apertura tournament.

It is a game that immediately stood out on the Xolos' schedule when the Mexican Federation released the season calendar earlier this summer. Del Olmo was hired by Pumas early this summer.

How will del Olmo handle his return to Tijuana? Will it be a memorable moment?

Del Olmo sidestepped the question.

"It will special in that we will go in looking for the win," Del Olmo told reporters earlier this week at a news conference at the team facilities in Mexico City. "Our team is playing very well, it has been solid and this is a game in which we want to continue on the same path."

Del Olmo was asked the same question in a different format. He tried to avoid it, again.

"Three points, that's what we are looking for," del Olmo said "It's about returning to a city that treated me marvelously and it's about putting those three points in our pocket."

Del Olmo played down the hype surrounding his personal ties to Tijuana but he is certain his team can match up against the Xolos.

Pumas (1-0-1) is coming off a 1-1 draw against Atlas and a 3-0 win against Queretaro last week. Pumas has played four games in seven days, with matches in the regular tournament and the Torneo de Copa. Traveling again in the same week could hold a challenge.

But del Olmo knows the synthetic turf at Estadio Caliente. He is familiar with the stadium's atmosphere. He knows most of the players on Tijuana's roster.

And what does he think about the Xolos players now that he is on the opposing team?

"I only speak about my team," del Olmo said. "If my team competes the way we want it to compete, the rival is, with all respect, secondary. I have great friends (in Tijuana), including players, but that's it. I only think about Pumas and about winning on a tough synthetic field."

The last time the Xolos played in its artificial home field it played to a scoreless draw against Merida FC in Copa MX play. Then it beat Merida 1-0 Tuesday night on the road.

Tijuana is coming off an embarrassing 4-0 loss at Leon last week. Friday night's game against Pumas will be its first home match in the regular tournament since beating Puebla 2-0 in the season opener.

The last meeting between Xolos-Pumas, the teams played to a 1-1 draw in Mexico City during the 2012 Clausura tournament. The tie spoiled Pumas' chances at reaching the post season.

Pumas, one of Mexico's most popular and storied franchises, played in Tijuana last summer to another 1-1 tie.

Xolos midfielder Leandro Augusto missed both matches against Pumas, his former team. He played for Pumas for a decade before signing with Tijuana last year and suffering an injury.

"I have a lot of affection for that institution," said Leandro, a naturalized Mexican born in Brazil who won four league titles with Pumas. "I played there for 10 years and accomplished important things and the dream of winning championships and then be part of the Mexican national team."

Augusto was asked about del Olmo's return to Tijuana.

"I am glad he is coming back, fans really love Joaquin because he led the team to the First Division," Augusto said. "The fans have great affection for him, but I am sure that on the field, he will want to win the game."

ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com