This Friday, February 6, the Tijuana Xolos hosted Puebla at the Estadio Caliente for a game in the Liga MX 2026 Clausura.

Club Tijuana was undefeated heading into this match and continued that streak after a frustrating game.

While Club Tijuana is undefeated, the Border City Dogs are yet to win at home, and this was another draw at the Mictlan. The Xoloitzcuintles have tied all three home games of the season and have only scored one goal in these games.

#Xolos vs Puebla at the Estadio Caliente.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/2lj53t9zav

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 7, 2026

Heading into this match, there was some optimism against a struggling Puebla side. Sebastian Abreu did not have many surprises in his starting 11, but he is still dealing with Gilberto Mora’s absence.

Fullback Alan Vega also had very limited usage off the bench in this clash, as he is coming off an injury. Puebla had a clear game plan in the opening 45 minutes, playing a more conservative game. However, Club Tijuana really struggled to generate much offensive play and only produced two shots on target in the first half.

Puebla’s rigid backline with Juan Pablo Vargas and Eduardo Navarro really kept the home side in check throughout that first half and in the game. Puebla had a scoring opportunity with Esteban Lozano in the opening minutes, and that was the only dangerous scoring drive in the first half for the visitors.

Xolos maintained possession and tried to maintain that dominance in the match, but it certainly dwindled in the second half. Sebastian Abreu knew he had to make a change in the second half and brought on Josef Martinez for Ramiro Arciga. Abreu was now deploying a two-man striker partnership with Martinez and Mourad El Ghezouani.

Puebla battled more for the ball in that second half, and Club Tijuana only controlled 53 percent of the possession. La Franja had more scoring opportunities in that second half and continued to be very rigid defensively.

The Visitors had 10 shots in the second half to Xolos’ four and really looked like the better side at the Estadio Caliente.

Vargas and Navarro combined for 11 clearances for Puebla and were a thorn against Abreu’s side. One other notable change for Xolos came in the 66th minute when Sebastian Abreu’s son, Diego Abreu, replaced Mourad El Ghezouani.

However, the coach’s son had no shots in his limited playing time, in what was a highly frustrating match for the home side.

Coach Abreu highlighted the positives from the match in the post-game press conference. “Maintained the undefeated run, maintained the clean sheet, and broke the record for 15 consecutive undefeated home games”.

“Let’s not disparage Puebl; on the contrary, it’s another point.” Abreu really highlighted the fact that teams seem to be playing a different game plan against this Xolos team that found success last season.

Club Tijuana is now undefeated in five games this season, but has only won one of these five games. The next match will be a very tough one against the current champions, Toluca, away from home on February 13.

The Xoloitzcuintles will then play consecutive home games against Mazatlan and Pumas UNAM to close out the month.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 28, 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 FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.