Tijuana Xolos add Lucas Cavallini from free agency
Credit: Xolos
The Tijuana Xolos made a splash on the last day of the Liga MX transfer window, signing 30-year-old Canadian striker Lucas Cavallini. The former Vancouver Whitecaps’ striker was a free agent and now comes back to the Liga MX after a stint in MLS.
The Canadian international started his career in Uruguay with Nacional and went on to also play with Juventud, Fenix, and Peñarol in the Uruguayan league. In 2017, Cavallini joined Liga MX club Puebla, where he shined for five seasons, scoring 27 goals throughout those two and a half years.
In Major League Soccer ‘Cavagol’ managed to net 18 goals in three seasons, coming off his best MLS season, where he scored nine goals. Cavallini’s worst season in Vancouver came in 2021, where he only scored three goals in 21 games, but he had a nice comeback campaign last season.
In addition to his club resume, Cavallini has been a part of the Canadian national team since 2012. The 30-year-old has scored 11 goals for the North American side and was part of the 2022 World Cup roster that participated in Qatar. Cavallini only received 18 minutes of play at the World Cup but is immortalized in Canadian soccer history as Canada has only participated in two World Cups.
Cavallini will join Pedro Alexis Canelo and Braian Romero as the other centre-forwards on the team, but he certainly brings different characteristics than the other two. Both Canelo and Romero offer more speed than physical prowess, as Cavallini will need to fight for the starting role at Xolos. In a league that can be very physical, like the Liga MX, it is important for a team to have an offensive option like Cavallini, as Club Tijuana previously had with players like Milton Caraglio or Gustavo Bou.
The experienced striker is a target-man who possesses an imposing presence with his muscular frame. Cavallini a significant threat in the air with his physical presence and aerial game.
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The Toronto native also is equipped with a powerful shot and can be lethal in front of net on his day. Club Tijuana is struggling offensively in this 2023 Clausura season, with only two goals scored in four games played.
The Aztec Canines have playmakers like Lucas Rodriguez, Fernando Valenzuela, and Joaquin Montencinos. Cavallini has the potential to be the missing piece in the arduous puzzle that has been scoring goals this season for the border city team. Tijuana’s forwards have only combined for one goal scored in four games as the former Puebla striker looks to make an impact.
The Canadian forward has proven his worth in the Liga MX previously with Puebla and now has another chance to break out in the Mexican league.
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.