This Friday, June 28, the Tijuana Xolos played a friendly match against Costa Rican side Herediano at the Estadio Caliente.

Club Tijuana played on new turf at the Mictlan and with a new manager, Juan Carlos Osorio, at the helm.

The Colombian head coach had been present at other preseason games for the Xoloitzcuintles, but this was the first game at home and in front of a crowd. Osorio’s starting lineup was the following: Antonio Rodriguez, Aaron Mejia, Rafael Fernandez, Alejandro Gomez, Nicolas Diaz, Joe Corona, Fernando Madrigal, Kevin Castaneda, Alan Vega, Carlos Gonzalez, and Jaime Alvarez.

There is new turf at the Estadio Caliente in Tijuana. It looks a million times better than last season.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/O84vK3K42B

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) June 29, 2024

The Border City Dogs were unable to score in the first half but had a pair of key opportunities, the clearest one coming in the 13th minute when Carlos Gonzalez’s headed attempt was stopped by Herediano goalkeeper Alexandre Lezcano. In the second half, Osorio changed his entire team, with newly added Emanuel Reynoso, Fernando Monarrez, and Unai Bilbao all coming on to the pitch.

Reynoso made an immediate impact for Tijuana as he crossed the ball to Kevin Balanta, who headed the ball into the back of the net for the first goal of the night. Reynoso went on to score a goal in the 49th minute, as Club Tijuana was flying in the second half of this match.

In the 54th minute defender Diego Barbosa scored a goal from long range to make it 3-0 for the border City team in what was a very comfotable showing for Osorio’s men. The final goal of the night came in the 81st minute when Efrain Alvarez scored to cap off a fantastic second half for the Aztec Canines.

Juan Carlos Osorio’s first match in front of a crowd at Estadio Caliente as #Xolos manager pic.twitter.com/THIMYo1cvR

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) June 29, 2024

After Miguel Herrera’s disastrous second-stint with Club Tijuana, Juan Carlos Osorio will be looking to make a significant change at the border city club. In his post-game press conference, Osorio made a big emphasis on the present and talked about how he only wants to talk about the “present” of his players.

The Colombian manager has not kept a steady job since managing the Mexico national team and Xolos are in dire need of a steady manager after a carousel of managers, who have failed to make an impact.

Juan Carlos Osorio is yet to find his ideal starting 11 and made a point that every starting job is up for grabs and will be contested in this squad. Club Tijuana will begin the Liga MX 2024 Apertura season on July 5 against Queretaro.

Francisco Velasco

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.