Tijuana Xolos: Opponents For 2019 Clausura Copa MX Announced
Credit: Imago7/Jorge Barajas
On Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, the Liga MX conducted the draw for the 2019 Clausura edition of the Copa MX.
The Tijuana Xolos were placed in Group 1 of the tournament with Pachuca and with Atlante from Mexico’s second-tier league.
The Liga MX 2018 Apertura final is yet to be played so the teams in this group could change significantly with the transfer window that is currently in full swing. However, this does look like a potentially tough group for Club Tijuana, especially with Pachuca, who missed out on the playoffs this season but still put in a solid effort.
Los Tuzos finished 10th in the Liga MX 2018 Apertura, but reached the semifinal stage of the Copa MX, and had players like Victor Guzman and Franco Jara, who had standout seasons. Guzman and Jara scored nine goals each this season and combined for a total of eight assists as well. Pachuca should be a competitive team next season and should challenge the Aztec Canines in this Group 1 of the competition.
Atlante is playing in Mexico’s second-tier league, but is one of the better teams in the league, and could also make it tough for Oscar Pareja’s men.
The team from Cancun finished third in the Ascenso MX and was knocked out in the semifinal stage by eventual champions Atletico San Luis. Los Potros de Hierro has been on the rise since former Liga MX midfielder Gabriel Pereyra took charge of the team, and one of the standout players this season was Paraguayan striker Fernando Fernandez, who scored seven goals.
#Xolos get Pachuca and Ascenso MX side Atlante in their group for the 2019 Clausura edition of the Copa MX. #LigaMXeng pic.twitter.com/i1RqShK1H3
— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) December 11, 2018
Oscar Pareja and the Xolos’ front office should be busy this offseason and should try and best their round of 16 exit from the Copa MX this season. With nine groups and 16 spots in the knockout stage, the group leaders along, with the seven best second-place teams, advance in the tournament. It is also worth noting that Santos Laguna, Toluca, Tigres UANL, and Monterrey will not participate in the competition due to their participation in the CONCACAF Champions League.
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.