One of Mexico’s professional football teams (that’s soccer for us in the states) is named Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente, or, Xolos, for shot. The club was founded in 2007, and, according to its website, “five years later, the hairless Pre-Hispanic dogs became champions of Mexico’s top circuit after an unprecedented run during the 2012 Apertura.” Since the Xoloitzcuintli is considered a national treasure in Mexico, it’s not a surprise that the breed is the mascot for Tijuana’s soccer team.

Currently, the club is in the middle of the pack in 2018 Apertura standings, wedged between Toluca and Necaxa, and this prompts us to cheer on “the dogs!” As aside, the team is picking up fans in San Diego which has been wanting a soccer team at least since 1996 when MLS had the chance to give it one. A few months ago, the second-division United Soccer League announced 2019 expansion teams, but San Diego was not among the cities to get a team. Shot down – again.

Xolo Soccer TV ratings in San Diego County rival many Padres and San Diego State football games, and bumper stickers are popping up on cars in San Diego – little red circles with a Xolo staring back.

Team Xolos has long talked about being a “bi-regional team,” and straddling the border of fans. “We consider ourselves San Diego’s team as well,” says Roberto Cornejo, Xolos assistant general manager. He adds that admittedly dated surveys have estimated that 15 percent of their fans come from the United States for games, or about 3,000 people, but again, the data is dated and the number now could be closer to 20 or 25 percent.

It’s not only good exposure for soccer, it’s great exposure for a breed when new fans ask, “What’s a Xolo?”