The Tijuana Xolos played their 10th game in the Liga MX 2024 Clausura season this Sunday, March 3, against Leon at the Estadio Caliente.

Heading into this match, Club Tijuana was on a dreadful 10-game winless streak to start the new season and were on an 11-game winless streak dating back to last season.

The Aztec Canines desperately needed the win from this match but failed to complete the objective, getting a 1-1 draw at the Mictlan against their rivals. Miguel Herrera only made one change to his starting 11, taking out defender Diego Barbosa and replacing him with striker Carlos Gonzalez. Rafael Fernandez suffered an injury in the match against Monterrey, but he was in Herrera’s starting lineup for this game against Leon.

Club Tijuana was the much better team in the first half of play, with nine shots to Leon’s two, but they had nothing to show for it, with the first 45 minutes ending scoreless. Nicolas Diaz had to be taken out due to an injury in the 31st minute, as Aaron Mejia replaced him, continuing Tijuana’s injury problems this semester.

Miguel Herrera made some substitutions at the start of the second half to try and get that first goal of the game, as Kevin Castaneda and Ake Loba replaced Joe Corona and Jose Zuniga. However, Leon was the first to strike at the Estadio Caliente with a goal by the team’s top scorer, Federico Vinas, in the 58th minute. Vinas completely outpaced Xolos’ defender Rafael Fernandez on an over the top through ball sent by Leon’s Elias Hernandez and went on to finish the opportunity in front of net.

The match closed out with late-game drama, as the Aztec Canines were awarded a penalty in the final moments of the game. The penalty, given on a foul on Ake Loba, was controversial, to say the least, but the penalty was given, and team captain Christian Rivera scored from the penalty spot to make it a 1-1 game. Xolos’ goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez saved a shot right in front of net in the dying minutes of the clash and was a key player to maintain the point.

Christian Rivera ties it up for #Xolos vs. Leon 1-1 with a last-minute penalty. Unfortunately goal is essentially worthless with Tijuana now winless in their last 12 games dating back to last season.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/6hnszWhbwo

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 4, 2024

Miguel Herrera talked about the difference between the first half of the tournament and second half in the post-game press conference. “We did enough in the first half to come out with at least a lead,” Herrera said. “There are times when the first half is extraordinary and the second half is not; we stopped doing things, and we let go of possibilities.”

“Piojo” also expressed that he has no desire or intention to resign from his post as manager. “I have it very clear what dignity is; I will give my maximum effort.” Herrera also talked about the pressure that the Border City club faces because of the current unfavorable results. “There is no relegation, but there is a fee that comes out of the owner’s pocket.”

“Piojo” is definitely a very prideful manager, but it is unclear as to how long Club Tijuana’s ownership group will keep him on with the terrible results. Club Tijuana has not won a game in 12 consecutive matches dating back to last season and is currently 16th on the Liga MX table with no wins from 10 games in the 2024 Clausura. The Xoloitzcuintles next match will be against Pumas UNAM, away from home on Sunday, March 10.

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.