The Centro de Iniciación Xoloitzcuintle (CIX) celebrates international success as its youth squads reach the finals in a prestigious tournament.
What is CIX?
The Centro de Iniciación Xoloitzcuintle (CIX) is a high-level youth development program that competes internationally, known for producing competitive footballers through rigorous training and elite competition.
The 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 CIX select teams made their international debut at the Surf Cup Southwest, a prestigious regional tournament held from February 28 to March 2. Both teams reached the finals, securing a championship and a runner-up finish respectively.
Dominating the Surf Cup Southwest
Under the leadership of Héctor González (2009-2010 team) and Erson Vitela (2011-2012 team), both squads impressed with their undefeated group stage performances.
Group Stage Highlights
- 2009-2010 team:
- 5-1 win over host club Las Vegas Surf
- 0-0 draw in their second match
- 2011-2012 team:
- Three commanding victories (6-2, 4-0, 4-1)
With these results, Vitela’s team advanced to the final, where they fell just short of the title. Meanwhile, González’s squad powered through the semifinal, defeating Phoenix Rising, a club from the USL Championship in the United States.
Championship Victory in Las Vegas
In the grand final, the 2009-2010 team faced Las Vegas Downtown, an affiliate of Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. In a closely contested match, CIX emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win, securing the Surf Cup Southwest championship.
This triumph marks a significant milestone for CIX, solidifying its reputation as a premier talent development institution and showcasing the potential of young Xolos players on the international stage.
