Tijuana Xolos Copa MX 2018 Apertura Week 4 Preview: Border City “Clasico” Pt. 2
Credit: Xolos
Game: Tijuana Xolos vs FC Juarez
When: Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018
Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
Time: 7:00 P.M. PST
TV: Fox Deportes
Radio In English: More FM 98.9
The Tijuana Xolos will play their third match in the 2018 Apertura edition of the Copa MX this Wednesday, Aug. 15, at the Estadio Caliente against FC Juarez.
The Xoloitzcuintles are coming off a 2-0 win against Toluca in this Copa MX tournament and started off their campaign with a scoreless draw against Juarez. Diego Cocca has been using an alternate squad for this competition with a mix of young academy players and more experienced bench and reserve Liga MX players.
Some of the players that can feature in this game include Rubio Rubin, Erick Torres, Hiram Munoz, Eryc Castillo, Diego Gonzalez, and Fabian Castillo. Some consistent Liga MX starters like Miller Bolanos or Ignacio Rivero may also feature on the bench for this encounter. Club Tijuana is undefeated at home this season in all competitions and will have the advantage in this game.
FC Juarez obviously has a much more limited squad as it does play in Mexico’s second-tier league, the Ascenso MX.
Los Bravos are currently top of that league with 10 points and are off to a good start in the Copa MX with four points from their first two games. Manager Gabriel Caballero was a long-time Liga MX player and also led Cafetaleros de Tapachula to a title last season in the Ascenso MX.
Caballero has also been using an alternate squad, but has some interesting players like Manuel Viniegra, Ivan Vazquez, and former Xolos’ midfielder Kevin Gutierrez. Veteran striker Leandro Carrijo is also a dangerous player going forward that is a natural goalscorer and very experienced. FC Juarez should struggle away from home, but does have a squad that can be competitive against the Aztec Canines.
Prediction
The match should be very entertaining between two teams that represent two of the biggest border cities in the world. The game between these two sides is far from being a rivalry, but because of the team’s geographical locations, there is a bit of intensity surrounding the encounter. EVT predicts a 2-1 win for the Club Tijuana in a clash that should be much more exciting than the 0-0 duel that was played in Juarez when the teams first met in this tournament.
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.