Sept. 1, 2011
SAN DIEGO - Former San Diego State men's soccer player Joe Corona (San Diego/Sweetwater HS) has recently been called up to the Mexican Under-22 National Team.
Corona, who chose Mexico over the United States and El Salvador, was called up to the team on Aug. 24 in preparation for a pair of friendlies with Chile on Sept. 2 and Sept. 6. Corona is one of 23 players on the current roster.
Prior to his call-up, Corona had started all six matches with the Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles of Mexico's first division, where he scored two goals on nine shots (four on net).
Corona is the eighth Aztec since 2006 to be called up to a national team, joining current players Jose Altamirano (United States U-20's), Jordan Ongaro (Canada U-20's) and John Pegg (Canada U-20's), and former players Nick Cardenas (U.S. U-20's), Myles Davis (Canada U-23's), Tally Hall (U.S. U-23's) and Omar Persad (Jamaica U-20's).
Other current SDSU players who have been part of the national pool or played for a national team prior to coming to Montezuma Road include Gemechu Abraham (U.S. U-17's), Kevin Bick (U.S. U-18's), Miles Byass (U.S. U-18's), Daniel Kohen (U.S. Maccabiah team), Ongaro (Canada U-17 and U-20's) and Abraham Villon (U.S. U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18's).
Corona spent one year with San Diego State before joining the professional ranks, accumulating seven points in 2008 on three goals and an assist in just 501 minutes. A midfielder, he played in 15 matches, earning three starts.
The Aztecs begin their annual Alumni, Friends and Family Weekend on Friday with a home match against Long Island (1:30 p.m. PT). The Alumni Game will take place on Saturday (Sept. 3), followed by the Battle of San Diego between SDSU and USD on Sunday (Sept. 4) at 8 p.m. at Torero Stadium.
Related stories about Corona and his call-up:
* Corona picks Mexico over the U.S. - by Jeff Carlisle, ESPN.com
* Mexico selects South Bay soccer star for U-22 team - by Ivan Orozco, San Diego Red
* Gringo Report: Corona called up to Mexico's U-22 team - by Tom Marshall, MLSsoccer.com
* Caught in an international tug of war - by Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune