Tijuana Xolos: Who Are the Xolos’ New Signings?
The Tijuana Xolos have had a busy off-season so far that has been highlighted by the players the team has lost, rather than the players the team has brought in.
The Aztec Canines will be without Milton Caraglio, Aviles Hurtado, and Guido Rodriguez, who were among the best players on the border city side during the Clausura 2017 tournament.
So far, the new manager, Eduardo Coudet, has not done very many impressive signings to replace Caraglio, Hurtado, or Rodriguez.
Coudet has brought in what are considered to be role players rather than key starters.
Here is a rundown of the signings the Xolos have made so far this off-season.
Jose Antonio Rodriguez
This had to be one of the more bizarre signings that Eduardo Coudet made in the Liga MX Draft. Jose Antonio “Tono” Rodriguez is a solid goalkeeper, but has been a backup for the majority of his career. This past tournament with Leon, “Tono” did not receive any playing time during the Liga MX, but did play in four Copa MX games. Rodriguez is still young at 24 years old, and has shown signs of greatness in cup competitions before. The signing of the Mexican goalie is strange with Gibran Lajud and Luis Ernesto Michel on the roster. Perhaps Eduardo Coudet is looking for extra security on the bench with a reliable option like Jose Antonio Rodriguez.
Mauricio Cuero
Cuero also came over in the Liga MX Draft from Santos Laguna. The Colombian winger is a player that offers an abundance of pace and can also be skillful, but his technical ability still needs work. His passing and shooting abilities are inconsistent and he will likely serve as a role player off the bench. Cuero only played 48 minutes in the Clausura 2017 with Santos Laguna and did not provide any goals. In the Apertura 2016, the South American player played in 11 games for Santos and did score two goals. The Colombian was an intriguing signing and is a player that has potential to win a starting job.
Luis Angel Mendoza
“El Quick” was one of the last-minute grabs by Eduardo Coudet in the Liga MX Draft. Mendoza played in the Clausura 2017 tournament with relegated side, Chiapas, and scored a goal in 10 games. The Mexican winger is a skillful player who offers great vision and can be an influential player going forward. It is unclear whether “El Quick” will be a starter under “El Chacho” Coudet, but he is still a solid signing that adds depth to the squad.
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.