The Tijuana Xolos played their 12th game in the Liga MX 2023 Apertura season this Saturday, Oct.21, against Queretaro at the Estadio Corregidora. Club Tijuana went into the match winless away from home this season, and that unfavorable streak continued in this match against Los Gallos Blancos.

The game was not the best and turned out to be a physical and gritty affair at the Estadio Corregidiora that included four red cards. The first red card of the night came in the 42nd minute and was given to Xolos’ captain, Christian Rivera after he knocked down Raul Zuniga. The foul was initially given a yellow card, and VAR controversially changed the decision to a direct red card to the Colombian midfielder.

The first half was not very uneventful, with neither team producing much offense on the night in Queretaro. Club Tijuana did not play much worse with ten men on the pitch and were able to neutralize an uninspiring Queretaro attack. The second red card of the night came at halftime after Club Tijuana manager Miguel Herrera argued with referee Oscar Macias about Christian Rivera’s red card. Herrera was sent off, as “Piojo” watched the second half from the Estadio Corregidora stands, but soon the playing field became more level.

In the 53rd minute, Queretaro’s Raul Zuniga was given a direct red card after an aggression towards Tijuana defender Nicolas Diaz. The call was controversial once again, as Zuniga lost his cool after a pair of fouls by Diaz, which referee Oscar Macias should have called before the escalation.

After both teams were down to 10 men, Queretaro actually produced more offense and eventually scored in the 83rd minute via an absolute screamer by Pablo Barrera. There was nothing Antonio Rodriguez could do on the shot by distance after having a solid day in net for the Xoloitzcuintles.

The final red card of the match came after Raul Sandoval received a double yellow in the 86th minute off a “foul” on Domingo Blanco. Upon review of the play, Sandoval did not even touch Blanco, but VAR was unable to interfere on the play due to it being a yellow card call.

The Aztec Canines had one last punt in the dying minutes of the match, but Eduardo Armenta’s effort was stopped by Queretaro goalkeeper Guillermo Allison. The game ended 1-0 for Queretaro in what was a very messy and gritty game in this Liga MX matchup.

Club Tijuana remains winless on the road in this 2023 Apertura and will have a very tough away match against Monterrey for their next game on Oct. 25.

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.