Tijuana Xolos Copa MX 2020 Recap: Xolos beat San Luis, make quarterfinals
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Xolos played the second-leg of their Copa MX round of 16 match against Atletico San Luis this Tuesday, January 28, at the Estadio Caliente. The Aztec Canines defeated San Luis 1-0 in the first leg of this series away from home and were looking to maintain their lead.
Club Tijuana was able to accomplish that as the Xoloitzcuintles came away with a 1-0 win at the Mictlan on Tuesday night. Manager Gustavo Quinteros used an alternate lineup for the match that featured several youngsters and newcomers.
Goalkeeper Carlos Higuera, defender Victor Torres, and 19-year-old Tijuana native Luis Gamiz were among the younger players used. Bryan Colula, Alexis Castro, Alfonso Sanchez, and Bryan Angulo, who all joined Tijuana this season, all started in this match.
Guillermo Vazquez also used an alternate lineup for San Luis with some of the standouts being Spanish striker Ian Gonzalez and young midfielder Oscar Macias. The pace of the game was sluggish and unexciting with Vazquez’s very pragmatic playing style for the visitors.
The first half of the clash ended scoreless at the Estadio Caliente with very few opportunities for either team. The lone goal of the uninspiring duel came in the 66th minute as youngster Ivan Lopez gave Xolos the 1-0 lead.
Lopez used his speed to get past the San Luis backline and goalkeeper Axel Werner as he just tapped the ball into the back of the net. The young forward was brought on at halftime to replace Cesar Falletti as the decision paid off for Gustavo Quinteros.
Quinteros also made two other changes as Miller Bolanos replaced Bryan Angulo in the 66th minute, and Erick Torres was brought on for Angel Sepulveda in the 76th minute. The Border City Dogs were able to maintain the lead as the game finished 1-0 at the Mictlan and 2-0 on the global score.
The win was a nice one for new manager Gustavo Quinteros as the Xoloitzcuintles have historically struggled in the Copa MX. The highest finish for Club Tijuana in the competition is the semifinals, and the Argentine manager will be looking to change that.
Los Caninos are set to face either Monarcas Morelia or second division team Cafetaleros de Chiapas in the quarterfinals. Chiapas has a comfortable 4-1 lead in the series at the moment and will be the likely opponent for the Xolos.
?| Asà la mandó guardar @IvanGacelo ?
¡Disfrútenlo! ?#UnidosSomosMásPerros pic.twitter.com/FwAEbkbawJ
— Xolos (@Xolos) January 29, 2020
Xolos’ Lineup:Â Carlos Higuera, Jordan Silva, Vladimir Liorona, Victor Torres, Bryan Colula, Alexis Castro, Luis Gamiz, Cesar Falletti (45′ Ivan Lopez), Alfonso Sanchez, Angel Sepulveda (76′ Erick Torres), Bryan Angulo (67′ Miller Bolanos)
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.