Tijuana Xolos: Ex-Xolo Duvier Riascos Is Crowned Champion In Colombia
On Sunday, it was the second leg of the Colombian league final between Santa Fe and Millonarios.
The final was a historic one as it was the first time the two major teams of the capital city of Bogota played in a final.
Millonarios ended up taking the title by an aggregate score of 3-2 and former Xolos’ striker Duvier Riascos was among the Millonarios’ players that enjoyed the glory on Sunday.
Riascos played with Club Tijuana in three tournaments from the Clausura 2012 to the Clausura 2013. The Colombian striker also played with Puebla, Pachuca, and Monarcas Morelia in the Liga MX, but will be remembered mostly for his efforts in the border city.
Unfortunately, he will be mostly remembered for missing a penalty in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Copa Libertadores against Brazilian team Atletico Mineiro. The penalty came in the final moments of the game and would have ensured Club Tijuana’s ticket to the semifinals of the competition.
Oddly enough, the Xolos did play Millonarios in that edition of the Copa Libertadores and Riascos did play all 90 minutes in that game. Even though many Xolos’ fans will remember that infamous penalty, “La Culebra” did have success, scoring 18 goals in three Liga MX tournaments for the Aztec Canines.
He also arguably has the best goal celebration out of any Xolos’ player ever. As Riascos adopted a signature dance resembling the slithering of a snake that he would do after scoring a goal that earned him his nickname.
The 31-year-old is at another stage of his career, but has found a resurgence in his native Colombia as he played an important role in this Millonarios’ championship team. Riascos scored three goals during the regular season, but played a much deeper role on the team as his veteran presence did help gel everything together. He almost had a dream final as he came very close to scoring, but his shot hit the woodwork. Luckily, his team still managed to walk away with their 15th league title.
The Colombian forward will forever be remembered by the Xolos’ faithful and it is nice to see him still succeeding years after his stint with Club Tijuana.
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.
