With Only Three Games Left, It Is Time For Xolos Femenil To Give Minutes To Youngsters
Credit: Xolos
Xolos Femenil suffered a disappointing 4-2 loss versus Pachuca Femenil on Monday at the Estadio Caliente.
The border city side had an impressive 2-1 lead in the early stages of the second half, but completely fell apart after scoring that second goal. Bad marking in the midfield and sloppy defending led to three unanswered goals in the second half by Las Tuzas.
The loss was demoralizing for the team and the fans with only three games to go in the Liga MX Femenil season and just one game at the Estadio Caliente.
Head coach Andrea Rodebaugh had used younger players at the beginning of the season, but then started using more experienced players at the midway point of the competition.
Now the experienced players have stayed consistent in the lineup, but it may be time to give younger players a chance once again. With only three games left, it is time to see who will be ready to continue with the Club Tijuana ladies next season. This is especially hard to evaluate with the younger players on the team that have not received much of a chance. Some examples are 15-year-old Brenda Flores, who has only played six minutes this season, and 18-year-old Leyla Zapata, who has yet to receive any minutes this semester.
Layzha Garcia, 16, had been impressive during her playing time, but now even struggles to find a spot on the bench. Garcia still looks like a player with a very bright future and should get more minutes in these last few games of the regular season.
Other players like Karen Maprigat and Valentina Oviedo are clearly in future plans as they continue to receive minutes and have looked sharp on the field. Maprigat, 16, has looked great off the bench in some instances, but has yet to start a game and should be considered to start for some of the remaining games.
Xolos Femenil was the only team not to drop any players heading into this Clausura 2018 season, but may need to do so with the current performances put in by the team. The aim is to develop these young players, but some clearly need more playing time than they have been getting this season.
There is talent within these youngsters, and now is the time to show it before the end of the Clausura 2018 as there will surely be some changes in the next transfer window.
21 years old, born and raised in San Diego, roots from Tlaxcala, Mexico. Casual baseball, football and basketball fan but soccer is my true passion. Excited to bring you coverage of Club Tijuana for EVT!