Game: Tijuana Xolos vs Puebla

Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico

When: Friday, April 19, 2024

Time: 8:10 p.m. PST

TV: VIX

The Tijuana Xolos will face Puebla this Friday, April 19, at the Estadio Caliente for their last home game in the Liga MX 2024 Clausura season.

Club Tijuana is still winless at home this campaign but recently broke a 16-game winless streak, dating back to last season with a 1-0 win against FC Juarez.

The Aztec Canines were very lucky to come away with the three points from Juarez, but it is unlikely that anyone from the organization or any Club Tijuana supporter really cared how that elusive win came to be. Club Tijuana has been officially out of playoff contention since last week but is still trying to avoid paying a fee upwards of $5 million by trying to finish ahead of FC Juarez on the relegation table.

Goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez had quite a performance against FC Juarez, as he continues to be one of the very few bright spots in a very grim season for the Border City Dogs. The Xoloitzcuintles seem to have plans for net season, but as of now the border city team needs to find a way to avoid that huge fine and finish the season with some more points.

Puebla has been the worst team in the Liga MX 2024 Clausura season, currently dead last with just five points from 15 games played. La Franja has lost nine out of its last 10 games and is currently on a horrendous five-game losing streak. Los Camoteros changed managers mid-season and are still yet to win with Andres Carevic at the helm.

There are a pair of former Xolos players on Puebla in left-back Brayan Angulo and Canadian striker Lucas Cavallini. However, one of the big standouts for Puebla has been 23-year-old midfielder Alberto Herrera, who has two goals and two assists in just five games played.

Fans have been frustrated this season and attendance numbers have been down recently at the Estadio Caliente, as it will be interesting to see what type of crowd the last home game of the season brings for Xolos. Motivation is at an all-time low for all parties involved, as the best thing for the club is for this season to end and for the offseason to begin.

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.