Atlanta United signing Hector Villalba got his North American adventure underway on Saturday night, making his first match appearance of a six-month loan stint to Mexican side Club Tijuana as Los Xolos continued their strong start to the new season with a 2-1 road win over Cruz Azul.
Villalba came off the bench in the 83rd minute, replacing his fellow Argentine Milton Caraglio after Aviles Hurtado and Dayro Moreno had staked Tijuana to a 2-0 lead.
Also among the substitutes was US youth international Paul Arriola, who logged 22-plus minutes in relief of Hurtado, while US international Michael Orozco went the full 90 in the Xolos defense.
A dynamic attacking talent who rose to prominence with Argentine side San Lorenzo, Villalba signed with ATL UTD as a Young Designated Player on July 22 and subsequently joined Tijuana on loan ahead of Atlanta's 2017 MLS expansion debut.
Tijuana, who are also have US products Greg Garza, John Requejo, Alejandro Guido and Amando Moreno on their books, now sit in second place in Liga MX with a 3-1 record four games into the 2016 Apertura campaign. The Xoloitzcuintles return to league play on Friday when Club Leon visit Estadio Caliente.
