Tijuana Xolos look to bounce back vs. Atlas, after loss to America in season-opener
LIga MX
Game: Atlas vs. Club Tijuana
Where: Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
When: Saturday, January 20, 2023
Time: 7:10 p.m. PST
TV: TUDN, Univison
The Tijuana Xolos began the Liga MX 2024 Clausura season with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Club America in front of over 31,000 spectators at the Estadio Caliente.
The Border City Dogs were the favorites heading into that match, as Club America fielded an alternate squad, just coming off a championship-winning season in the 2023 Apertura.
The Xoloitzcuintles were denied constantly by Club America goalkeeper Luis Angel Malagon in that match, as there were some clear finishing issues in front of net. Raul Zuniga played his first minutes with Club Tijuana, while Joe Corona stayed on the bench for the entirety of the match against Club America.
Xolos’ manager, Miguel Herrera, did not experiment at all with his starting 11, fielding a lineup that was very common throughout last season. It will be very interesting to see if Herrera makes any changes to his lineup in what is expected to be a tough but winnable match away from home. Club Tijuana has not won an away game since April of 2023, but Atlas began the new season with a 2-1 loss to Necaxa.
Team Captain Aldo Rocha and Christopher Trejo inclusively received a red card in that match against Necaxa and will not be available for this game against the Aztec Canines. Rocha is a big blow in the midfield for Atlas, as Club Tijuana can take some dominance with his absence in this match.
Atlas did not have an incredibly busy offseason, their biggest signing being Jhon Murillo from Atletico de San Luis. Murillo has a ton of speed on the wings and has the ability to be a menace to any Liga MX backline. Tijuana’s defense will also have to deal with constant physical battles with Jordy Caicedo, who is arguably Atlas’ most dangerous attacker.
The transfer window seemed underwhelming for the Border City Dogs in a season with a lot to prove after a disappointing 2023 Apertura. Club Tijuana has been historically bad away from home, as this has the potential to be a significant win in the early stages of the 2024 Clausura.
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.