Xolos defeat Queretaro 2-1 for first win of 2025 Clausura

Credit: Jeremy Collins/EVT Sports

This Friday, January 24, the Tijuana Xolos hosted Queretaro at the Estadio Caliente for a game in the Liga MX 2025 Clausura season.
Club Tijuana were winless heading into this game after their first two games in this campaign and were looking for a change in momentum.
The big change in Juan Carlos Osorio’s lineup was that team captain Christian Rivera was placed on the injury list and unavailable. However, there are heavy rumors surrounding a potential move to the Brazilian league for the Colombian midfielder.
The first half was not ideal for the Border City Dogs as the team was unable to full take advantage of a man-advantage on the field. In the 12th minute, Queretaro’s Jose Canale received a red card after a criminal challenge on Tijuana’s Raul Zuniga. The referee embarrassingly did not initially call the blatant foul and then used VAR to make the final decision.
The Xoloitzcuintles clearly enjoyed more possession but the visitors were still able to construct some dangerous counterattacks. Queretaro scored the opening goal of the game in the 33rd minute after a counterattack that ended with a goal by Adonis Preciado. Xolos’ backline was caught off guard on the scoring drive as Preciado used his blistering pace on the play.
The Prehistoric Dogs were able to tie up the score in the dying minutes of the first half with a goal by Unai Bilbao. The scoring play started with a corner kick, and Alejandro Gomez provided the assist after Bilbao fired the shot that ended in the back of the net.
Juan Carlos Osorio opted to add fuel to the attack at the start of the second half by bringing on Efrain Alvarez, Ivan Tona, and Gilberto Mora for Fernando Madrigal, Joe Corona, and Aaron Mejia.
“We won in a just manner, when it was 11 v. 11 we had control and dominated the match. Unfortunately for them they were a man down and the game became one way.”
-Juan Carlos Osorio@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/5TYI4fu5gp
— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) January 25, 2025
The dynamic of the game stayed consistent with what had been seen in the opening 45 minutes. Club Tijuana dominated possession while Queretaro defended with nearly all of their men.
However, the creativity improved within the squad, and the Xoloitzcuintles were able to come up with a lead for the first time in the match.
In the 52nd minute, Emanuel Reynoso scored via a shot inside of the box off a cross by Domingo Blanco. Both teams kept a persistent attack, and Xolos’ goalkeeper, Antonio Rodriguez, played a key role in maintaining the lead.
The Border City Dogs maintained the lead and were able to come away with their first win in the 2025 Clausura season. After a rough opening loss to Toluca at home and a draw against Club America, this has the potential to build some forward momentum within Xolos.
“We won in a just manner; when it was 11 versus 11, we had control and dominated the match. Unfortunately for them, they were a man down, and the game became one way”, said Juan Carlos Osorio after the match.
Another key moment in the match was the debut of youngster Emanuel Ley, who played his first professional match at 18 years old. Juan Carlos Osorio described the young striker as “a striker that can get to the ball” and also mentioned that Ley “deserved the opportunity.”
Juan Carlos Osorio CONFIRMS that Ecuadorian international Jackson Porozo is signed with #Xolos.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/H7u2cAw8XD
— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) January 25, 2025
In the post-game press conference, Osorio also confirmed that Club Tijuana has signed Ecuadorian defender Jackson Porozo. The Ecuadorian international is training with the team, and Osorio confirmed that he will be available to play within the next two games.
This was an important win before a pair of very tough games against Tigres UANL and Cruz Azul within the next week.
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.