Tijuana Xolos Copa MX 2020 Recap: Angulo shines, Xolos get 3-0 advantage vs. Toluca in semifinals
Credit: Xolos
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Xolos played the first-leg of their Copa MX semifinal matchup against Toluca this Tuesday, March 3, at the Estadio Caliente. It was an even matchup heading into this first-leg, but the Xolos did have the home-field advantage.
The Xoloitzcuintles were able to make the most of that advantage as the border city team came away with a 3-0 win against the Red Devils. Ecuadorian striker Bryan Angulo was the hero of the match for the Border City Dogs as he scored all three goals that led to Tijuana’s massive victory.
The first goal of the game came in the 19th minute as Angulo scored off a powerful shot from inside of the box. The second goal struck in the 36th minute of the clash and came with some controversy as it appeared to be offside. However, the controversy ended after the game as Toluca midfielder Kevin Escamilla said that he touched the ball before it reached Angulo.
The Xolos had a dominant 2-0 advantage at the half as Toluca did not do much of anything in the first 45 minutes. The game that sealed the match came in the 55th minute as Angulo scored off an assist by Miller Bolanos. The play was very well-constructed by Club Tijuana as the Border City team was up 3-0 with plenty of time to go.
However, the Xolos were unable to find another goal as the game ended 3-0. Tijuana manager Gustavo Quinteros brought on Ignacio Rivero, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez, and Edwin Cardona after the third goal, but none of the players were able to do much offensively.
The big storyline of the match was Bryan Angulo’s performance, which was nothing short of incredible. The border city team is struggling offensively in league play, and this can be a turning point for the Xolos.
The win was a significant one for the Xoloitzcuintles as the 3-0 advantage is massive heading into the second-leg in Toluca. The Aztec Canines are struggling in league play, and the Copa MX is a chance at silverware this year. Club Tijuana has never even made the Copa MX final as getting past Toluca would be a historic feat for this team.
Disfruten el Hat-Trick de Bryan Angulo ? pic.twitter.com/htb9Bz9rDp
— Xolos (@Xolos) March 4, 2020
Xolos Lineup:Â Carlos Higuera, Omar Mendoza, Miguel Barbieri (68′ Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez), Jordan Silva, Aldo Cruz, Christian Rivera, Luis Gamiz, Alexis Castro (82′ Edwin Cardona), Mauro Lainez (67′ Ignacio Rivero), Miller Bolanos, Bryan Angulo
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.