Mexican Primera División newcomers Club Tijuana are taking advantage of their close proximity to the USA border by scouting Southern California in search of talent. "The philosophy of Club Tijuana is to be a regional team," Roberto Conejo, director of Club Tijuana's youth system, told the club's official website.
On Monday, Arturo Ramírez, the coach of the Xolos' third-division team, was north of the border giving a soccer clinic to more than 40 youngsters between the ages of 12 and 17, who form part of the Southwest International Football Academy.
"In Club Tijuana, the door is open to increasing links with the California region," said Cornejo.
The Southwest International Football Academy has two chapters in Southern California and is part of Club Tijuana's plan to develop youngsters in the region and incorporate them into the Mexican club's youth teams.
"Our dream is that someday we have kids from our school in the youth division with Xoloitzcuintles," said Alberto Alcazar, head of the Riverside campus of the Southwest Football International Academy.
