San Diego Soccer News: LA Galaxy vs Club Tijuana of Mexico in “San Diego Clasico” on March 2 at Torero Stadium

David Beckham last night at the San Diego Clasico - Photo Credit Carey Schumacher

UPDATED: 2.3.2011

Mexico Beat the U.S.; Club TJ Beat LA Galaxy last night in overtime in an excitiing soccer match at USD in San Diego.  More than 5,000 soccer fans came out to watch David Beckham and Landon Donovan play soccer in America's Finest City in the International friendly.

Landon Donovan and David Beckham delighted San Diego soccer fans last night and the crowds cheered as these famous players took to the field at USD's Torero Stadium.  LA Galaxy fans were happy watching this pre-season game, even though Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente defeated the Major League Soccer (MLS) team after a 2-2 tie.  The match went to penalty kicks and ended in 4-3 after a series of intense moments for players and fans as everyone watched as playres took turns kicking the ball. 

David Beckham made his first start with the Galaxy this preseason. He played for nearly all the game. a total of 74 minutes and assisted on the game-tying goal late in the first half.

The Galaxy initially trailed 1-0 after a goal from Club TJ's Armando Pulido but Beckham sent a ball to Omar Gonzalez who shot it past goalkeeper Adrian Zemeno to score. Donovan then scored and gave LA Galaxy a 2-1 lead with the assist going to Chris Birchall.  Mexico's fans went wild when Club TJ came back from behind in the final minutes of the match when Miguel Lopez converted a penalty kick.  The young soccer fans were enthralled when the game eventually went to a shootout. 

Penalty Kicks: LA - Landon Donovan (Goal) Tij - Gilberto Rosa (Blocked) - LA - Mike Magee (Goal) - Tij - Alejandro Molina (Goal) -LA - Miguel Lopez (Blocked) - Tij - Luis Orozco (Goal) - LA - Chad Barrett (Goal) - Tij - Oscar Otreras (Goal) - LA - Jovan Kirovski (Blocked) - Tij - Javier Yacuzzi (Goal)

Game over. There was a brief surprise among fans that LA Galaxy lost this exhibition match, but it the pride of Club TJ's fans was so pervasive and the Mexican team played so well, all fans left with smiles.  According to the LA Galaxy's website, "Even though the LA Galaxy lost in the penalty shootout, the game is officially recorded as a 2-2 draw. With the draw, Galaxy are now 2-1-3 against professional competition this preseason." 

“I thought it was a good game. We got some important match fitness in for a number of players,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. “For an exhibition game, it was hard-fought, good for the fans who came out.”

It was a great Wednesday night for soccer in San Diego.

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LA Galaxy play Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente of Mexico’s Liga de Ascenso in the "San Diego Clasico", on Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m., at The University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium.

San Diego has not had it this good for a while!  David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Joe Corona are a few of the many great soccer players who will be in America's finest city next week for the San Diego Classico between LA Galaxy and Club Tijuana. Great professional soccer in our backyard?  No driving?  It can get much better than this!

Roberto Cornejo, Assistant General Manager. Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente of Mexico’s Liga de Ascenso said, "The  LA Galaxy are top teir regional opponent. The game will represent a solid test for our team in our quest for promotion to the first division."

“The LA Galaxy is expected to bring their full roster of players to this friendly match including super star players such as Beckham, Donovan and Juan Pablo Angel” said Anthony Fernandez, organizer for the game and Founder of Pazzo Sports.

According to Fernandez, "San Diego, this is a chance to see these guys up close and personal on a beautiful campus.  With the Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles, this will mark their first official game in the United States and it happens to be against the most known MLS franchises.”

When Club TJ's Cornejo was asked why play soccer in San Diego, he responded, "Club Tijuana is a regional team encompassing Baja California and Southern California. All of our youth players are from this region and many of our players are from San Diego including Joe Corona. We have close ties with San Diego and want to give our San Diegan fans, for those who have not seen us play at estadio caliente, an opportunity to see the team play a quality opponent." 

Soccer has always been a game that knows no borders or boundaries and just as Cornejo says, "This game also is an opportunity to transcend the border and build ties across the border."

According to Fernandez, "We, as San Diegans, talk a lot about having a MLS franchise but how are we suppose to make one work if we don't support these type of events?  The Mexican National team is well supported on every tour date.  The Galaxy is symbolic for USA soccer.  Come out on March 2, and see the USA v Mexico play; Tijuana v Los Angeles in San Diego. It's soccer night in San Diego on March 2nd, Even if these aren't your clubs that you root for; come support quality soccer in San Diego."

"USA soccer fans get to see Landon Donavon in action in your backyard," says Fernandez. "Remember the goal Donovan scored in the World Cup?  He won over the whole nation.  I'm calling out all soccer fans to come and support the game!" 

Cornejo says to all spanish speaking soccer enthusiats, "Amigos y amigas xoloitzcuintles - el 2 de marzo los invito de parte del Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente en asistir al partido contra el Galaxy en USD. Nuestro club entiende que a veces puede ser difícil para nuestros aficionados en el sur de california asistir nuestros partidos en tijuana pero sabemos que nos siguen vía radio, internet y televisión. El 2 de marzo esperamos a nuestra fiel afición a alentar a nuestro club en el primer derby regional contra Donovan, Beckham y sus compañeros."  Club Tijuana is coached by former Club America and Mexican National Team midfielder Joaquín Del Olmo.

Who will win?  That is the big question.  Cornejo said, "The game will be a tough game for both teams giving the fans in attendance a world class soccer game with a derby flavor." Who ever wins, San Diego soccer fans will have already won with a big game like this in our backyard.

Tickets are still available at tickets.com, by calling 619-260-7550, the USD box office, or by visiting Soccer Fanatic.

Earlier this week, the LA Galaxy released this statement: “We are very excited to announce this match against Club Tijuana in San Diego, a market that is important to our organization and one where we have wanted to play for quite some time,” LA Galaxy President of Business Operations Tom Payne said. “In addition, it is a good game for us against a quality opponent as we complete our preseason preparations for the 2011 MLS Season.” 

Pre-game festivities for the soccer match will include on-site radio appearances from Boy Toy Jesse of KISS 102.7 FM and San Diego’s own Channel 933, STAR 94.1 FM, XTRA Sports 1090 and local Univision radio stations are also partnering on the event. This community event will include sponsorship booths from a variety of local businesses such as: Soccer Fanatic, Simply Stunning Spaces, VAVI Sports and Hooters to name a few. Family friendly activities for fans will include: raffle prizes, free giveaways, music, interactive booths and more!