GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- U.S. international midfielder Joe Corona freely admits the Clausura 2016 campaign hasn't been the best of his career, and he would be open to an MLS move if the right circumstance presented itself.
The 25-year-old got the start in Dorados de Sinaloa's 2-1 loss on Sunday to Chivas in Guadalajara. But despite being in the starting XI, Corona says his season hasn't gone as planned.
"It wasn't the season I expected," admitted Corona after the match. "I was working hard to play, that was the goal here. Now I'm getting more time. I feel good, I feel healthy."
Corona burst onto the scene with Club Tijuana, helping Xolos gain promotion to Liga MX and then an unlikely first title in the Apertura 2012. Call-ups to the U.S. national team followed, but Corona hasn't been able to capitalize since and was loaned from Tijuana to Veracruz in the Apertura 2015 and then to Dorados this season.
With Dorados relegated from the Liga MX and Corona's loan spell with the club ending after next weekend's clash against Leon, the midfielder is set to move on this offseason. Just where that will be, Corona isn't yet sure.
"I'll have to wait and see until after the next game," he stated. "[Xolos] still own my card and I've still got another year of contract there so I'll have to talk to them and see."
Corona says he would like to return to Tijuana -- "I've got happy memories and it feels like home" -- and hopes there is an option to return.
"From what I've seen, I'm guessing they'll need a lot of players," said Corona. "They've not had the best season, so I'll get in touch with them."
Corona confirmed reports that Dorados players haven't been paid for the past couple of months and admitted that if a serious offer from an MLS team was on the table and things didn't work out with Xolos, he would consider it seriously.
"I always keep the door open," said the Los Angeles-born midfielder. "I don't know what my future is, but if an MLS team comes in and proposes something good for me, something that I should take advantage of, then yes it would be an option."
Corona's time at Dorados has not been memorable, but he'll be hoping whatever comes next can return him to being considered once again by U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.