Tijuana Xolos: Antonio Rodriguez makes debut for Mexico national team
Club Tijuana’s Antonio Rodriguez made his senior debut for the Mexico men’s national team this Wednesday, June 7, as Mexico hosted Guatemala in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, for a friendly match.
Mexico won the game 2-0 with goals by Raul Jimenez and Roberto de la Rosa in front of a sold-out crowd at Estadio de Mazatlan.
Toño did not start the match between the sticks, as he replaced Club America’s Luis Angel Malagon at the start of the second half. Rodriguez had a memorable debut keeping the clean sheet for Mexico and providing a very important save near the end of the encounter.
In the 88th minute, Rodriguez saved a shot inside of the penalty area by Pedro Altan to keep the 2-0 scoreline. Toño came out perfectly to make the save and deny the Central American team its first goal of the game.
Rodriguez was not tested much during his 45 minutes of play but responded when it was necessary for him to do so. The 30-year-old goalkeeper had represented Mexico at the U-17, U-20, and Olympic levels, but this was his debut with the senior team. The Guadalajara, Jalisco native was not included in Mexico’s squad for the Nations League or Gold Cup, but he is still fighting for a spot on Diego Cocca’s team.
The Mexico national team will play another friendly match this Saturday, June 1o, at Snapdragon Stadium against Cameroon. Toño has the potential to feature in that match as he also prepares for the next Liga MX season with the Tijuana Xolos.
With Club Tijuana, Rodriguez has a starting role secured, as he was arguably Xolos’ best player in the previous 2023 Clausura campaign. Club Tijuana and Miguel Herrera are preparing for next season with several signings so that Rodriguez will not have to be such a significant factor in every single game like he was last year.
This Wednesday, June 7, Club Tijuana signed defender Diego Barbosa and midfielder Christian Rivera as their first signings of this transfer window. The 2023 Liga MX Apertura 2023 schedule was also announced, as Club Tijuana will open their season on Friday, June 30, against Pumas UNAM at the Estadio Caliente.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.