Xolos extend road losing streak to four games with 2-1 defeat vs. Leon
Credit: Club Leon
This Saturday, March 1, the Tijuana Xolos played Leon away from home for a game in the 2025 Liga MX Clausura.
Club Tijuana was on a three-game road losing streak heading into this match and extended that to four games with a 2-1 loss against La Fiera.
Juan Carlos Osorio made his usual lineup changes, as there were two changes made to the starting 11 that was used against Pumas midweek. The big change was that the Colombian manager decided to bench goalkeeper Miguel Ortega and start once again with Antonio Rodriguez.
Ortega had started the past two Liga MX games for the Border City Dogs and seemed to be in Osorio’s favor, but sometimes the Colombian tactician can be unpredictable. To his credit, Antonio Rodriguez was arguably the best player for Xolos, as he had seven saves in this game.
The Aztec Canines were able to get a lead in the 27th minute of the match when Kevin Castaneda scored via a shot from inside the box. Jamaican international Shamar Nicholson racked up his third assist in the last two games for Club Tijuana on the scoring play.
After that quick start for the visitors, the spark never really returned for Xolos in this game. Angel Estrada made Xolos’ backline look silly in his scoring play as he tied it up for Los Esmeraldas before the end of the first half.
Leon had less possession in the first half and in the match but had many more scoring opportunities than the Border City team. That led to an eventual and deserving goal in the 89th minute of the match when Rodrigo Echeverria scored from a header inside the box. Sebastian Santos provided the assist on the scoring play in what was a bit of an unlucky break for Xolos.
However, Club Tijuana enjoyed some favor with a disallowed goal and a disallowed penalty call in the match. There was also the spectacular performance by Antonio Rodriguez in between the sticks.
The Xoloitzcuintles improved offensively in the second half as a significant effort by Leon goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez was also required in this match. Club Tijuana is now in 15th place with just seven points at the time of writing, but can potentially drop further on the table with other results from this matchday.
Club Tijuana will return home to face Atlas this next Saturday, March 9, with seemingly not much to play for in these remaining games.
Francisco, 28, 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 FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.