The Tijuana Xolos played their ninth game in the Liga MX 2024 Clausura tournament this Wednesday, February 28, against Monterrey at the Estadio Caliente.

Heading into this match, Monterrey were the heavy favorites considering that Club Tijuana is off to its worst-ever start to a Liga MX season in franchise history.

The visiting team was also in spectacular form, currently undefeated in the 2024 Clausura and now in first place after securing the point from this 1-1 game. Rayados even took the luxury of resting some key players in this match, as Sergio Canales, Maxi Meza, Jorge Rodriguez, and German Berterame all started the game on the bench. Chula Vista native Brandon Vazquez started this game in a stadium he is very familiar with as he is a product of Club Tijuana’s youth academy.

The Border City Dogs also had serious injury problems heading into this clash, as both Lucas Rodriguez and Efrain Alvarez were not available for this game. However, with all of these factors against Club Tijuana, the Aztec Canines gave a very respectable showing and were arguably the better team in this match. The Xoloitzcuintles were undoubtedly the better team in the first half, as Monterrey failed to even get a shot on target in the first 45 minutes.

Tijuana taking on Monterrey and an American has scored

No, not Brandon Vazquez

It’s Joe Benny Corona.. and it’s a damn nice goal.

Tijuana take a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute pic.twitter.com/jtu1M3YfZu

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 29, 2024

San Diego native Joe Corona received just his second start of the season and his first start at the Estadio Caliente since rejoining the club in this campaign. Corona generated plenty of play, and the veteran midfielder came up clutch with a goal for Club  Tijuana in the 58th minute when he fired an absolute rocket from beyond 20 yards out. The goal was an absolute screamer and was Corona’s first goal since scoring back with the San Diego Loyal against the Oakland Roots in October of last year.

Corona talked about playing his first game back at the Estadio Caliente and about his goal after the match. “It’s always special for me to come back home; it’s a team that I love deeply. It was my first time playing back at Caliente, so super happy for the goal, but a little disappointed with the result.”

Joe Corona after scoring tonight for #Xolos in the 1-1 draw against Monterrey.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/S9N3lsTfgL

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 29, 2024

Monterrey brought on the firepower off the bench, as Jesus Corona, Sergio Canales, Jorge Rodriguez, and German Berterame all came on in the second half. Spanish star Sergio Canales ended up scoring the tying goal for Monterrey in the 84th minute when he fired a potent strike from inside of the penalty area. The tying goal seemed almost inevitable in this match, but Club Tijuana were also close to a second goal, as they never stopped fighting in this encounter against one of the clear-cur title-contenders in Liga MX.

Despite the amazing effort put in by the Border City Dogs they are still winless this season and continue suffering from injury problems with Rafael Fernnadez being carted out this game and Fernando Valenzuela seen in crutches after this match. Club Tijuana is currently in 16th place with just five points from nine games played, as fans are more than impatient at this point of the season. The attendance was great, as over 18 thousand spectators filled the Mictlan, but there was a small section of fans that put paper bags over their heads as a sign of embarrassment for the bad results.

The boos and jeers were also present at the final whistle, as Xolos will now try for that elusive first win of the season this Sunday, March 3, against Leon at the Estadio Caliente.

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.