The Tijuana Xolos played their 13th game in the Liga MX 2023 Clausura this Saturday, April 1, as the Aztec Canines traveled to the Estadio BBVA to face Monterrey.

The match was set to be very tough for Club Tijuana, given that Monterrey has undisputedly been the best team in the league and given Xolos’ road struggles. However, the border city team was humiliated at the Estadio BBVA, suffering a 4-0 loss to Rayados.

Manager Miguel Herrera did make a couple of changes to his lineup that did not pay off, as he brought in Jair Diaz and Jose Juan Vazquez into the mix. Neither player had really received much playing time before this game and were in inconsistent form throughout the campaign.

Federico Lertora’s absence in the midfield was definitely felt for Club Tijuana in this match, as the midfield lacked stability in what was an unusually aggressive lineup for Herrera against a top side like Monterrey. “Piojo” is not a manager that is afraid of taking risks, but he has been cautious against the top teams this season.

Monterrey’s first goal of the night came just four minutes into the encounter as Rodrigo Aguirre scored a headed goal off a cross by German Berterame. The header by Aguirre was perfectly located as Xolos’ goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez had no chance of getting to the ball.

The Uruguayan striker did not stop there as he scored his second goal of the game in the 21st minute in what was a disastrous defensive performance by Club Tijuana. The scoring play started with a horrendous pass by Antonio Rodriguez, who gave the ball straight to Monterrey and ended with Rodrigo Aguirre easily surpassing Lisandro Lopez and the Mexican goalkeeper.

German Berterame made it a 3-0 game in the 31st minute as he played a wonderful one-two play with John Stefan Medina to score from a potent strike from inside of the penalty area. Berterame scored a second goal in the 75th minute to make it 4-0 in what was an incredible play by Monterrey. Luis Romo put in a beautiful lobbed cross to Berterame, who headed the ball with perfect accuracy and power to find the back of the net.

The final whistle ended with the 4-0 result, which could have been even worse as Monterrey had a total of 20 shots in the match, 10 being on target. Club Tijuana put in no fight with one shot on target in 90 minutes of play, as this was easily the worst performance of the season for the Border City Dogs. Antonio Rodriguez still put in a solid performance, despite allowing the four goals, as he made some spectacular saves to avoid even more goals by Monterrey.

The Xoloitzcuintles now return home after this loss to face Queretaro this next Friday, April 7, at the Estadio Caliente. The border city team is now in 15th place with 12 points as a top-12 finish becomes a bit more complicated with just four games left in the regular season.

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.