Tijuana Xolos: Eduardo Coudet has Found His New Right-Back in Argentina
Looking at the Xolos’ roster, it was obvious that Eduardo Coudet needed a new right-back to suit his upbeat style of play.
The American, Michael Orozco, had done a superb job in the position in the Clausura 2017 campaign, but was a much more defensive option who lacked speed running up and down the wings. Paul Arriola could play that role, but it is unclear if Coudet trusts the Chula Vista native in that role or whether he wants to play him in a more offensive role.
That seems like it will not be a worry for the Argentine manager any longer as the Argentine journalist, Cesar Luis Merlo, reported that Matias Aguirregaray is on his way to Club Tijuana.
Merlo said on his Twitter account that Aguirregaray is close to signing for the Xolos and that it would be a two or three-year contract. The Uruguayan full-back will be coming over from the Argentine club, Estudiantes de La Plata, where he has been since 2013.
The 28-year-old has had an extensive career dating back to 2007, where he got his start in his native Uruguay with Penarol.
Aguirregaray stayed in Montevideo up until 2011, where he received an opportunity to play in Europe. The defender played with the Italian side, Palermo, in 2011 and had a brief stint in Romania with CFR Cluj in 2012. From there, Aguirregaray played with Penarol briefly in 2013 before moving to Argentina with Estudiantes de la Plata.
The Uruguayan is a much more offensive option who should be able to make a significant impact on the team. Coudet is rebuilding this Xolos’ squad after some notable losses and is doing so with players that will fit his style of play. Of course, like some other previous signings, this signing would also raise some important questions.
The most obvious one is what will Michael Orozco’s role at the border city side be if this deal does go through? Orozco can play as a centre-back but there is some heavy competition in that position with Emmanuel Aguilera and Juan Carlos Valenzuela already on the squad and the possible inclusion of Alejandro Donatti as well.
This could be one of the best signings “El Chacho” has made this off-season and it will be interesting to see how the signing makes an impact on the team and how it could decide other player’s futures as well.
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.