Game: Queretaro vs. Tijuana Xolos

Where: Estadio Corregidora, Queretaro, Mexico

When: Friday, July 5, 2024

Time: 6:00 p.m. PST

TV: VIX

This Friday, July 5, Club Tijuana will begin its Liga MX 2024 Apertura campaign with an away match against Queretaro.

Club Tijuana had a disastrous 2024 Clausura season, finishing in 16th place with 14 points under Miguel Herrera, and is now trying to make a change with new manager Juan Carlos Osorio.

Osorio is a very intelligent and well-prepared coach, but he has had trouble finding a consistent position over the past few years. Some of the new signings for Club Tijuana heading into this season include Emanuel Reynoso, Fernando Monarrez, and Unai Bilbao.

Reynoso just recently shined in a friendly match against Costa Rican team Herediano and will be looking to start the season scoring for Club Tijuana. Reynoso is a great playmaker and has very impressive skill when he is on form and concentrated on the game, but he has had disciplinary issues in the past.

Juan Carlos Osorio is known for making consistent changes with his lineups, so the starting 11 that is seen against Queretaro may not be seen next week.

Queretaro exceeded expectations last season, finishing in 10th place, but were immediately knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Queretaro is Tijuana’s sister club as there are constant deals made between both clubs. This season, former Xolos midfielder Lucas Rodriguez is now with Los Gallos Blancos.

Queretaro’s squad from last season has not changed much, and the Central Mexican team is not expected to have a great season. One of the players to look out for in this match for Queretaro is veteran Pablo Barrera, who had five goals and six assists in the 2024 Clausura campaign.

One of the more notable signings for Los Gallos was Mexican striker Ronaldo Cisneros, who is looking for more playing time after several seasons at Chivas. It will be interesting to see if the 27-year-old striker gets the start straight away or is given more time to settle in after the move.

It seems that Club Tijuana is very serious about this new project with Juan Carlos Osorio after a disaster in Miguel Herrera’s second stint. Club Tijuana only won one away game last season as a win in the season-opener on the road would be the perfect start to Osorio’s tenure with the Border City Dogs.

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.