Game: Tijuana Xolos vs. Chivas de Guadalajara

Where: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico

When: Friday, July 12, 2024

Time: 8:00 p.m. PST

TV: VIX

The Tijuana Xolos will play their first home game of the Liga MX 2024 Apertura season this Friday, July 12, against Chivas at the Estadio Caliente. Club Tijuana began the season with a huge 2-1 away win against Queretaro, which was a very significant accomplishment given the border city team’s horrible away record over the years.

Juan Carlos Osorio is the manager at Club Tijuana to begin this season, and he is already very evidently implementing his playing style and tactics. The Colombian manager has been known to make constant squad rotations, as there may even be some changes to his lineup in this match.

Domingo Blanco and Carlos Gonzalez scored the goals that led to the Xoloitzcuintles win over Queretaro, and new signing Emanuel Reynoso was also key in the game. Reynoso had five key passes in the match and was clearly the main playmaker for Club Tijuana in this opening victory.

Club Tijuana had much more possession than Queretaro, as Juan Carlos Osorio’s style of play has quickly made his mark on this team. Tijuana’s backline was also very rigid, but Osorio brought on Rafael Fernandez, Unai Bilbao, and Francisco Contreras in that match, who may receive more playing time in the near future.

Chivas is always a tough task, especially when playing an away game at home, which is expected at the Estadio Caliente with a majority of Chivas fans in the stands. Guadalajara began the season with a scoreless draw against Toluca in a game that was more of a goalkeeper duel than anything. Los Rojiblancos were knocked out in the semifinals last season by archrivals and eventual champions Club America, as Chivas will be looking to find redemption this season.

Mexican superstar striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez had a very disappointing 2024 Clausura season with only one goal in 10 games played and will also be looking to improve massively. There is potential on this Guadalajara team, especially in the attack featuring “Chicharito”, Roberto Alvarado and Cade Cowell.

Goalkeeper Raul Rangel is also one of the key players to watch, as he has been on the Mexico national team’s radar for a couple of seasons now. Rangel made the 2024 Copa America squad but did not get a single minute on the pitch, as he will now look to keep up his consistency and receive more opportunities with El Tri.

Chivas’ manager, Fernando Gago, is considered one of the best managers in Liga MX and, like Juan Carlos Osorio, prefers to keep possession of the ball. Given the tactics by both managers, this game has the potential to be a very intriguing bout at the Estadio Caliente in what will most likely also feature a spectacle in the stands.

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.