Game: Tijuana Xolos vs Santos Laguna

Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico

When: Friday, March 15, 2024

Time: 8:00 p.m. PST

TV: TUDN

The Tijuana Xolos will play their 12th game in the Liga MX 2024 Clausura season this Friday, March 15, against Santos Laguna at the Estadio Caliente.

Club Tijuana is currently on a 13-game winless streak dating back to last season and desperately need the three points from this match at the Mictlan.

The Aztec Canines have predictably been struggling on the road, but it is surprising to see the border city side winless after five home games this season. The Xoloitzcuintles have come very close to that first win of the season, undefeated in their last four games and with only one loss in their last six games.

However, the Border City Dogs have had many inconsistencies in this run, including the ability to generate offensive play, with their last four goals coming from the penalty spot by team captain Christian Rivera. The Colombian midfielder scored a hat-trick of penalty kicks against Pumas UNAM in the last matchday to secure a 3-3 draw against Los Universitarios.

Club Tijuana was up a man since the 26th minute of that game and were even down 3-1 at one point of that match, as the Prehistoric Dogs were quite lucky to come away with the 3-3 result. Miguel Herrera is clearly frustrated with the team’s form, but he has stated consistently that he has no plans to resign from his post.

Christian Rivera has clearly been Club Tijuana’s best player this season along with goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez, who surprisingly missed out on the Mexico Nations League roster. Efrain Alvarez has also been a surprise for Xolos this season and just recently received a call-up to Mexico’s U-23 side.

While there have been some bright spots on this Tijuana side, there has been an overwhelming dark shadow over the team all season long, plagued with inconsistencies. However, this is a solid opportunity for the Border City Dogs to get that first win of the season against an underwhelming Santos Laguna team.

Santos Laguna is on a tremendous run of form, currently on a three-game winning streak, coming off a shocking 3-0 win against Cruz Azul, but are currently 12th on the Liga MX table. Los Guerreros have outscored their opponents 5-0 in this three-game winning streak, but previously failed to score in a four-game losing streak before the string of victories.

Franco Fagundez scored in the last game against Cruz Azul but also received a red card, as he will be unavailable for this match in Tijuana. Santos’ main attraction are the youngsters on the team like Jordan Carrillo, Diego Medina and Santiago Munoz, who are all on Mexico’s U-23 roster.

There is a lot of inexperience in this Santos Laguna team and while this makes for an exiting team it also opens the door for unforced errors along the way.

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.