The Tijuana Xolos hosted Atlas at the Estadio Caliente for a vital postseason match this Sunday, November 24.

The game was part of the play-in round, and the last spot in the Liga MX quarterfinals was at stake in this clash.

Club Tijuana had lost to Club America on penalties in the previous play-in round, while Atlas had defeated Chivas 2-1. Juan Carlos Osorio made a plethora of changes to the lineup that he had used against Club America with seven total changes. Some of the biggest surprises were seeing Fernando Monarrez at left-back and Alejandro Gomez take a role in the midfield.

The 16-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora also received an opportunity to start in this crucial contest. These changes are not out of character for Juan Carlos Osorio, but the amount of changes for such an important match was a bit surprising.

However, these changes were very effective against an Atlas team that posed no threat in the opening 45 minutes of the match. Raul Zuniga scored in just the fourth minute of the game and again in the 20th to give the Border City Dogs a 2-0 lead.

4′ Raul Zuñiga scores the first and #Xolos get an early 1-0 lead. Zuñiga also scored against América last game.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/VoWOplH0It

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) November 25, 2024

In the first goal, Zuniga showcased his speed and burst past the Atlas backline, around goalkeeper Camilio Vargas. In the second goal, a cross found Alejandro Gomez in front of Atlas’ net, and he quickly passed the sphere to Zuniga, who finished the opportunity with ease.

The visitors finished the first half with just one shot on target and really looked almost out of the contest after that second goal. Club Tijuana had a plethora of goalscoring opportunities even hitting the post on a pair of occasions. The dynamic midfield with Joe Corona, Gil Mora, Kevin Castaneda and Alejandro Gomez was really working wonders for the Aztec Canines.

The Xoloitzcuintles lowered the attacking intensity in the second half, but the visitors failed to apply much pressure. At the beginning of the second half, Rafael Fernandez replaced Kevin Balanta. Then, in the 60th minute, Juan Carlos Osorio went on to make three changes, bringing on Efrain Alvarez, Christian Rivera, and Ivan Tona for Alejandro Gomez, Joe Corona, and Alan Vega.

#Xolos win it 3-0 against Atlas and advance to the Liga MX quarterfinals.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/o5wQgpgot0

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) November 25, 2024

Club Tijuana still had a few offensive opportunities left in them and managed to score a third goal in the 84th minute. Diego Barbosa was able to find free space and burst down the right flank before sending in a cross into Kevin Castaneda. Castaneda fired a potent strike from inside of the penalty area to make it 3-0 and really put the game to bed.

Atlas put in a nonchalant effort at the Estadio Caliente against a Xolos team that was inspired and had a clearer game plan in place. Juan Carlos Osorio was put to test and experimented, but came out like a genius after making the drastic changes to the starting 11.

“There is a style of play that we defend and practice. There is no ideal starting 11, but there is a style of play that we do not renounce”, said Osorio after the match.

“There is a style of play that we defend and practice. There is no ideal starting 11, but there is a style of play that we do not renounce.” – #Xolos manager Juan Carlos Osorio.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/lgRzK9qGUy

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) November 25, 2024

With the win, the Border City Dogs qualified as the eighth and final seed in the Liga MX quarterfinals and will now face league leaders Cruz Azul. Cruz Azul had a record-setting 42-point season in this Apertura 2024, and this will be a very tough task for the Prehistoric Dogs.

Juan Carlos Osorio consistently made an emphasis on how Cruz Azul was the best team in Liga MX this season. The Colombian manager said that the “illusion is to compete against the best team.” Xolos will have a rough road ahead in the playoffs, but it is still a great achievement just to make the playoffs after five and a half years absent from the postseason.

Francisco Velasco

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.