Tijuana Xolos Copa MX 2019 CL Quarterfinal Preview: Xolos Visit First Seed Morelia For Spot In Semis
Game: Monarcas Morelia vs Tijuana Xolos
When: Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Where: Estadio Morelos, Morelia, Michoacan
Time: 8:05 P.M. PST
TV: ESPN Deportes
The Tijuana Xolos have advanced to the quarterfinal stage of the 2019 Clausura edition of the Copa MX and will now take one Monarcas Morelia for a spot in the semifinals. The Aztec Canines defeated Alebrijes de Oaxaca in the round of 16 in the competition to get to this quarterfinal stage.
The clash against Oaxaca was not easy, to say the least as Club Tijuana narrowly defeated the Asenso MX team on penalties. The Xoloitzcuintles recently snapped their eight-game undefeated streak in all competitions with a rough 4-0 loss to Pachuca in league play.
The border city is still in the playoff race in the Liga MX and will have a tough away match in this quarterfinal stage. The Xolos are the slight favorites in this match, given that they are living a much better moment than Monarcas Morelia.
Manager Oscar Pareja has used a mix of key starters and young players in this Copa MX tournament. Some of the young players that have been starting consistently include goalkeeper Carlos Higuera and striker Daniel Lopez, who are both 18 years old.
Some of the key Liga MX starters that have been getting minutes include players like Miller Bolanos and Gustavo Bou. Pareja has also given opportunities to role players like new signing Kevin Balanta and Argentine midfielder Diego Gonzalez.
Monarcas Morelia has been one of the worst teams in the Liga MX 2019 Clausura, currently in 16th place, but did finish as the top seed in the Copa MX competition. La Monarquia recently changed managers as Javier Torrente has been in charge of two games so far.
The Argentine manager is yet to win but does have two draws against tough opponents in Club America and Pumas UNAM. The team from Michoacan does have a limited squad but has potential going forward with players like Gaston Lezcano, Edison Flores, and Ray Sandoval.
Monarcas Morelia defeated Puebla on penalties in the round of 16 of the Copa MX but was the better team in that game. La Monarquia is on a dreadful seven-game winless streak in league play and should struggle even with the home-field advantage.
Players to Watch
Carlos Higuera
The 18-year-old goalkeeper has been looking sharp in the Copa MX competition and is already making an impact. Higuera stopped a penalty against Oaxaca that led to Club Tijuana’s victory in the round of 16 and is a very exciting prospect.
Luis Chavez
The young midfielder can be one of the more exciting players on Club Tijuana on his day. Chavez has a very nice strike on him that can prove to be lethal to any goalkeeper in the league and he will surely try to use it in this match.
Prediction
EVT predicts a slim 2-1 win for Club Tijuana, the Border City Dogs should be able to advance to the semifinals as they are in better form and have the better team.
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.