This Friday, August 23, the Tijuana Xolos faced Monterrey at the Estadio Caliente for a game in the Liga MX 2024 Apertura season.

This was set to be a very tough match for Club Tijuana, but it turned out to be a highly entertaining clash.

Juan Carlos Osorio made four changes to the lineup that defeated Santos Laguna 3-1 this past Sunday. Antonio Rodriguez, Carlos Gonzalez, Alejandro Gomez, and Kevin Balanta were the new players introduced.

Monterrey was the better team in the opening 45 minutes, with much more clear scoring opportunities. The away team opened the scoring at the Mictlan in the 28th minute via a goal by German Berterame. Sergio Canales sent the cross into the penalty area, and the Argentine striker was there to head the ball into the net.

The Border City Dogs were able to quickly recover from the goal and tie the match in the 35th minute. Domingo Blanco was fouled inside Monterrey’s penalty area by Sergio Canales, and a penalty was awarded to the Xoloitzcuintles.

Club captain Christian Rivera took the penalty with plenty of calmness and put away the golden opportunity. Possession was split in this first half, but Monterrey kept a steady offense flow throughout it.

Rayados finally broke through again in the 43rd minute when Chula Vista native Brandon Vazquez gave the visitors the lead. Jordi Cortizo gave a spectacular pass to Vazquez inside of the penalty area on the scoring play, which allowed Monterrey to come away with a deserved result at the half.

The second half was a bit stagnant as both teams struggled to generate clear-cut scoring opportunities. Club Tijuana had more possession in the second half, and Juan Carlos Osorio tried to make adjustments to generate more offense. 15-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora came on in the 60th minute when he replaced team captain Christian Rivera.

#Xolos tie it up 2-2 in the last second with a goal by Jose Zuñiga.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/PRpJyOCgns

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) August 24, 2024

This move added more creativity to Club Tijuana’s attack, although it was a very ambitious one. Two more key substitutions came in the 79th minute when Alan Vega and Jaime Alvarez replaced Domingo Blanco and Carlos Gonzalez.

Vega ended up being a very important substitution as he ended up being part of the eventual game-tying play in the final moments of the match. Club Tijuana kept on trying to push forward and eventually tied the game in the 98th minute with a goal by Jose Zuniga. Efrain Alvarez passed the ball to Alan Vega, who made a run into the box and crossed the ball into Zuniga. The scoring drive was a very well-constructed attack that clearly showcased Juan Carlos Osorio’s style of play.

Alan Vega on his assist after the #Xolos 2-2 Monterrey match: “When I received the ball my first thought was to shoot, but the gap closed and I saw an opening. I thought about shooting, but I saw Zuñiga and I passed it to him then the goal came through.”@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/thUuTBFb7i

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) August 24, 2024

Vega talked about his assist after the game, “When I received the ball, my first thought was to shoot, but the gap closed, and I saw an opening. I thought about shooting, but I saw Zuniga and I passed it to him then the goal came through. A goal is a goal, and it all counts the same.” Vega was clearly cheerful and excited after the match in a tie that really seemed like a win for the Aztec Canines.

Xolos are not finished with this home stand just yet, as they will face off against Leon this next Friday, August 30. Juan Carlos Osorio announced some important news in the post-game press conference regarding Gilberto Mora. Mora has an opportunity to go to train with Dutch Eredivisie team Feyenoord, but it is up to his family.

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.