Tijuana Xolos Copa MX 2018 Apertura Week 3 Preview: Xolos Look For First Win In Copa MX Against Toluca
Credit: Xolos
Game: Tijuana Xolos vs Toluca
When: Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
Time: 7:00 P.M. PST
TV: Fox Deportes
The Tijuana Xolos will play their second game in the 2018 Apertura edition of the Copa MX this Wednesday, Aug.8.
The Aztec Canines will host Toluca at the Estadio Caliente in what should be a very contested match at the Mictlan.
The Border City Dogs are coming off a 1-1 draw against Leon at the Estadio Caliente in league play and had a scoreless draw against FC Juarez in their Copa MX debut in Week 1 of the competition. The Xoloitzcuintles are not off to the best start in the Liga MX with four points from three games, and will look to find success in this Cup tournament. Diego Cocca has expressed the importance of giving minutes to youngsters in this tournament as he debuted six players against FC Juarez.
The Argentine manager is likely to use plenty of young players against Toluca with a mix of a few experienced players.
Some of the more intriguing options that may feature in Cocca’s starting 11 include players like Rubio Rubin, Eryc Castillo, Hiram Munoz, Erick Torres, and Jesus Angulo. Luis Chavez is another player that is likely to start this match due to his red card against Leon in league play that will keep him off of Tijuana’s squad for this weekend’s game against Cruz Azul. New signing Fabian Castillo has also been officially registered with the club and will be available to play in this encounter. The Xolos will have the home-field advantage for this game along with a competitive squad that should be able to pick up the three points.
Toluca also has four points from its first three Liga MX games, but did also suffer a loss to FC Juarez last week in Copa MX play. Los Diablos Rojos lost 3-2 at home against a relatively weak Ascenso MX team and should be due for a very tough task here. Still, Hernan Cristante does counter with a very solid team, with players like Luis Quinones and Enrique Triverio that may feature in the starting 11. Starting goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera also picked up a red card against Chivas in league play and will likely get the start in this match.
Los Escarlatas also have a pair of former Xolos’ players in Richard Ruiz and Luis Angel Mendoza that may feature in this game. Ruiz played with Club Tijuana from 2009-2015 and was a key part of the 2012 Apertura championship, while “ Quick” had a recent short stint with the team. Toluca has a solid squad, but given its recent form, the team may struggle at the Estadio Caliente.
Players to Watch
Eryc Castillo
Castillo is a very talented player with plenty of speed and skill that can be very entertaining to watch. The Ecuadorian winger has shown his slight flashes of brilliance off the bench this season, but still clearly needs some time to adapt. Castillo should be able to work well with players like Rubio Rubin and Erick Torres, who are also likely to start in this game.
Alfredo Talavera
It is no secret that this Xolos team can struggle to finish opportunities at times. This has stayed consistent throughout the season, preseason, and was even seen in the Copa MX match against FC Juarez. It will make it even more difficult with an elite Liga MX goalkeeper like Alfredo Talavera in between the sticks.
Prediction
The game should be a very entertaining duel between two solid Liga MX team that need the three points from the encounter. EVT Predicts a 2-1 win for Club Tijuana with the home-field advantage at the Estadio Caliente as the deciding factor.
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.