Tijuana Xolos Copa MX Preview: Xolos face Mineros de Zacatecas away
Game: Mineros de Zacatecas vs. Tijuana Xolos
Where: Estadio Carlos Vega Villalba, Zacatecas, Mexico
When: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019
Time: 5:00 P.M. PST
The Tijuana Xolos will continue their 2019-2020 Copa MX campaign this Wednesday as the Aztec Canines travel to Zacatecas to face Mineros at the Estadio Carlos Vega Villalba. The Xolos started off the new Copa MX season with a dominant 2-0 win against Queretaro at home, but are coming off a 3-2 loss against Queretaro on the road.
The border city side has historically struggled away from home, and not much has changed this season. In the 3-2 loss to Queretaro, Leonel Miranda and Camilo Sanvezzo scored in what proved to be a very exciting clash.
The Xoloitzcuintles are currently second in Group 5 of the Copa MX with three points, but both Zacatecas and Queretaro are also at three points. Manager Oscar Pareja has used both key starters and role players for these games but has expressed a clear interest in the competition. Some of the younger players that have played in the Copa MX include Vladimir Lorona, Antonio Nava, and Tijuana native Luis Gamiz.
Mineros de Zacatecas has only played one game in the Copa MX so far, but it was a solid 2-0 win against Queretaro at home. In the Mexican second division, Zacatecas is struggling, currently in penultimate place with just five points after five weeks of play.
However, in previous tournaments, it has been shown that there is no correlation between success in the league and the Copa MX. Zacatecas’ squad is made up of mostly Mexican-born players, and some of the standouts include former Chivas’ players like Hedgardo Marin and Ronaldo Cisneros.
Players to Watch
Erick Torres
“Cubo” recently scored a game-winner for Xolos against Cruz Azul in Week 7 of the Liga MX as he may be getting more playing time with that performance. It was Torres’ first goal in several months, and the Mexican striker now has a lot more confidence. “Cubo” can be very good with his movement and he is looking to regain his form that made him one of the best strikers in the MLS.
Ronaldo Cisneros
The 22-year-old has been trying to regain his form for several seasons now. Cisneros was once a very hot prospect in the Liga MX but has now fallen off quite a bit. Cisneros has decent speed and dribbling abilities, but his finishing can let him down at times.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 2-1 win for the Tijuana Xolos as the Aztec Canines have the much better roster, and Zacatecas’ home-field advantage is not enough to get a result.
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.