Tijuana Xolos: Alexis Castro, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez and Miguel Barbieri to represent Xolos in eLiga MX
The world of sports is still at a halt, and the Liga MX is no exception as the Tijuana Xolos’ last game came nearly a month ago. The Liga MX recently announced the creation of an esports league that will mirror the Liga MX season starting from Week 1 and will feature Liga MX players playing against each other on FIFA 20.
The eLiga MX will begin this Friday, April 10, as the Tijuana Xolos will play their first game on Sunday, April 12, against Santos Laguna. The virtual soccer tournament is set to replicate the Liga MX format with the top eight teams making the playoffs at the end of the regular season.
The 18 teams in the league will have three-person rosters, and the Tijuana Xolos officially announced their roster this past Wednesday, April 8. Alexis Castro, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez, and Miguel Barbieri will represent the Aztec Canines throughout the eLiga MX season.
Oddly enough, all three players are newcomers to the border city side this season, and all three also hail from Argentina. Castro (25) has played six games this season and has scored two goals despite only starting two games. Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez was one of the most anticipated signings for the Xolos this season, coming over from Atlanta United in the MLS.
The 28-year-old centre-back has been a consistent starter for Club Tijuana with ten games started and one goal scored. Finally, Barbieri has accompanied Gonzalez-Pirez throughout the 2020 Clausura season in the backline and seems to have adapted well to the Liga MX.
While all three of these players have shown their skills on the actual soccer pitch this season, it is unknown as to how they will do on the virtual touchline. Santos Laguna will have young fullbacks Gerardo Arteaga and Josecarlos Van Rankin along with experienced striker Octavio Rivero as their representatives in the eLiga MX.
La pasión se vive de muchas maneras… ¿Están listos?#TuCasaTuCancha #SienteTuLiga #eLIGAMX pic.twitter.com/EmlqcydzQw
— #LigaBBVAMX #TuCasaTuCancha (@LigaBBVAMX) April 7, 2020
The games will be one vs. one with six-minute halves and will be played on the Playstation 4 console as the matches will be televised. It is unclear as to which player will represent Club Tijuana in the opening match and whether there will be some sort of compensation for the winner of the tournament.
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.