Lights FC leaning on Huiqui’s experience

Joel Huiqui still remembers the jersey hitting his skin, walking onto the field and hearing the Mexican national anthem blare at Estadio Alfonso Lastras.

The Lights FC defender made his national team debut for El Tri against Guatemala on Oct. 8, 2005, in Mexico, taking part in a 5-2 win during the fourth round of qualification for the 2006 World Cup. Huiqui has been rostered 14 times by Mexico’s senior national team and is looking forward to seeing it compete on the world’s biggest stage in Rus- sia starting this week.

He’s also been using his experience with El Tri to try to steer the Lights back into the playoff picture, starting with their match at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Phoenix Rising FC.

“I feel the team is 100 percent ready,” Huiqui said. “We still have a lot to work on, a lot to learn, but I think we’re getting there.”

Huiqui’s biggest achievement was being named captain of Mexico’s 2013 Gold Cup squad.

The captaincy helped Huiqui build his leadership skills. Now he’s the Lights’ captain, ranking second on the team in clearances (52)

and first in interceptions (28).

“If I miss, or if I make a mistake, I know (Huiqui) is going to help me,” defender Miguel Garduno said.

Huiquialsohasgreat stamina; he’s missed one game, when he served a suspension for yellow-card accumulation.

scends from the Mayo, an indigenous group to Mexico.

“Huiquiisspecial,”coach Isidro Sanchez said. “His DNA is like a Mexican Indian. He’s very hard, very tough.”

Huiqui trained hard to become one of the faces of the Mexican national team and now the Lights. His goals are helping the Lights improve and hoping his country can advance in the World Cup.

“I’m always excited when I get to see my national team, and when it’s the World Cup,” Huiqui said. “I feel like this national team, we have a really good chance to go further than we ever have before.”