Tijuana Xolos Copa MX 2020 Preview: Xolos face San Luis in round of 16
Credit: EVT Sports - Francisco Velasco
Game: Atletico San Luis vs. Tijuana Xolos
Where: Estadio Alfonso Lastras, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
When: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m. PST
TV: ESPN 2 (Mexico), Fox Sports 2 (Mexico)
The Tijuana Xolos will continue their Copa MX 1019-2020 play this Tuesday as the round of 16 begins. The Aztec Canines will play San Luis away from home in the first leg of this matchup, then wrap up the series at the Estadio Caliente next week.
The Xoloitzcuintles have traditionally struggled in the cup competition as the semifinals is the highest finish ever for the border city team. Club Tijuana will look to surpass that mark this season and have a very manageable matchup to begin the knockout stage.
The Xolos are coming off a disastrous 3-0 loss to Queretaro in league play, but manager Gustavo Quinteros will likely switch up his starting 11. Some of the new players that were brought in this season like Christian Rivera, Alexis Castro, and Brayan Angulo may feature in Tijuana’s starting lineup.
Atletico San Luis is coming off a solid 2-1 win against Cruz Azul in league play and also had an impressive scoreless draw against Tigres UANL in Week 1. Los Tuneros were not very active in the transfer market this offseason but did make the splash signing of Guillermo Vazquez as manager.
Vazquez brings a very pragmatic and orderly style of play that can be hard to watch, but very productive. “Memo” lead Necaxa to the Liga MX semifinals last season against all the odds and will be looking to make an impact on San Luis. Vazquez is likely to change his lineup, and players like Oscar Macias and Jorge Alberto Sanchez may be the most enticing players for San Luis in the pitch.
Player to Watch
Brayan Angulo
Angulo was one of the most enticing signings for Club Tijuana this offseason, but he is yet to get much playing time in the Liga MX. The Ecuadorian striker was disappointing with Cruz Azul last season, but has an impressive track record in his native Ecuador, scoring over 50 goals with Emelec.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 0-0 draw in this match as there is not much to separate both teams, and it is set to be a hard-fought encounter at the Alfonso Lastras.
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.