Tijuana Xolos Club Friendly Preview: Club Tijuana Set to Face Club America at SDCCU Stadium
Game: Tijuana Xolos vs Club America
When: Saturday, March 24, 2018
Where: SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, California
Time: 5:00 P.M. PST
TV: Univision Deportes
Tickets: $35 dollars general admission, $20 dollars kids 12 and under
SDCCU Stadium, formerly known as Qualcomm Stadium, is not used for much of anything these days. The once great NFL stadium has been collecting dust recently, but will host a Liga MX friendly match between Club Tijuana and Club America this Saturday.
The Tijuana Xolos are not in the best form heading into this encounter as the border city side has not won in two consecutive Liga MX games.
The latest result for the Aztec Canines was an underwhelming 1-1 draw with Monarcas Morelia at the Estadio Caliente.
Diego Cocca’s team is still trying to bounce back from a disappointing run in the CONCACAF Champions League and would take any win they can get to help the team mentally heading back into Liga MX play.
Rubio Rubin will be the only player that will not be available for this match as he was called up to the U.S. men’s national team. The rest of the squad, excluding players that had previously suffered injuries in Gustavo Bou and Juan Carlos Valenzuela, should be ready to go for this encounter.
It is unclear if Diego Cocca will use his consistent starters for this match, but it would not be surprising to see a lineup of players that normally get minutes in the Liga MX.
🦅 +💥 +⚽️
🏟SDCCU Stadium 🇺🇸#TourÁguila
🔶♦️🔷 pic.twitter.com/VZrvxyk2Zz— Club América (@ClubAmerica) March 23, 2018
The atmosphere at SDCCU Stadium should be fantastic with the immense Club America fan base in California and neighboring states. The massive venue is unlikely to be sold out, but there should be a decent turnout with fans from both sides of the border. Club America has fallen off a bit recently, currently in fourth place with 21 points in the Clausura 2018.
Las Aguilas are coming off a 2-1 loss against Toluca, but are still alive in the CONCACAF Champions League. Los Azulcremas failed to defeat the Xolos the first time they met this season in league play as the two teams had a scoreless tie at the Estadio Azteca. Miguel Herrera’s potent attack was impeded by the Xolos’ defense and an incredible performance by Gibran Lajud.
There is, of course, a plethora of former Xoloitzcuintles’ players on Club America as well as former Xolos’ boss Miguel Herrera. The familiar faces that could be seen this Saturday include Henry Martin, Joe Corona, Emanuel Aguilera, and Guido Rodriguez. This game could also serve as a boost for Club America, who only has a win in its last five Liga MX games. The Mexico City team will be missing some key players that are on international duty like Bruno Valdez, Cecilio Dominguez, Oribe Peralta, Edson Alvarez, Mateus Uribe, and Carlos Vargas. The squad will still be a very strong one for Miguel Herrera that should make for a very competitive match at SDCCU Stadium.
Players to Watch
Alejandro Guido
Damian Musto will not be available to play in the Xolos’ next game against Veracruz, and someone needs to take his spot in the midfield. Alejandro Guido may just prove to be that player that can play in Musto’s role and a solid game in his native city against Club America will make Diego Cocca’s decision much easier. Guido can be an exciting player in the midfield and really needs a good game under his belt after picking up a red card in his lone start of the Clausura 2018.
Henry Martin
The Former Xolos’ striker has eight goals in all competitions since joining Club America this season and really has been one of the main storylines in Mexican soccer this year. The Mexican striker has showcased his goalscoring prowess and hunger to succeed since departing the border city and should be motivated to put in a performance against his former team.
Prediction
Club America will be missing some key players while Club Tijuana should have a full squad this Saturday. However, this may not impact the encounter as Las Aguilas still have a formidable side that can compete against Los Caninos. EVT predicts an action-packed 2-2 draw at SDCCU Stadium that should satisfy both fan bases.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.