This Wednesday, February 28, the Tijuana Xolos will host Monterrey at the Estadio Caliente for a game in the Liga MX 2024 Clausura tournament.

Chula Vista native Brandon Vazquez will return to the area in what will be his first-ever homecoming in his professional career.

Vazquez had a cross-border experience in the San Diego/Tijuana area, as he used to be part of the Tijuana Xolos youth academy. The Chula Vista native never made his professional debut for Club Tijuana and instead looked to MLS where he went on to make a name for himself with Atlanta United and specifically FC Cincinnati.

Vazquez is currently part of the USMNT picture and has had a great start to his Liga MX career with Monterrey. The 25-year-old forward has scored four goals in just three games as a starter this season and has specifically showcased his spectacular heading ability.

Vazquez talked about his return to Tijuana in a press conference before this match. “I have a lot of love for Tijuana for everything they helped me with and the steps they helped me take, I don’t know if I will celebrate if I score”

Vazquez also talked about his familiarity playing on synthetic turf, both in Tijuana and in the MLS, as this will not pose a challenge to him in his return to the area.

Monterrey is currently third in the Liga MX and are the heavy favorites to take this match at the Estadio Caliente. Club Tijuana is winless after eight games played this season and are experiencing their worst-ever start to a Liga MX campaign.

The Xoloitzcuintles only have two points from three home games this season, which is particularly worrying considering how much of a fortress the Mictlan usually is. Miguel Herrera is undoubtedly in the hot seat at this point, and any negative result can have a ripple effect on the border city side at any point.

Brandon Vazquez returns to the area with a high probability of scoring a goal against the team that saw the very beginning of his professional career. It will be interesting to see if he does his Superman celebration at the Estadio Caliente and how that is received around the stadium.

Vazquez was just put on the preliminary USMNT list for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League final four, where the U.S. will play Jamaica. Vazquez is likely to make the final cut with the way he is currently playing, but a few more goals in the coming games will help his case.

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.