Xolos lose 2-0 to Puebla, drop to 16th place on Liga MX table
Credit: Jeremy Collins (XoloGuero)/EVT Sports
The Tijuana Xolos played their eighth game in the Liga MX 2025 Clausura season against Puebla away from home. With only 10 games remaining in the campaign, this was an important game if Club Tijuana has any hopes of a playoff spot.
The Border City Dogs came away with a 2-0 loss at the Estadio Cuauhtemoc and the season has taken a bleak turn with nine games left. Puebla had only won one game heading into this match and if the Xoloitzcuintles had any opportunity of an away win, this was the game to do it.
The Aztec Canines are historically dreadful on the road and nothing much has changed in that regard in recent tournaments. Club Tijuana put in a lifeless effort, against a Puebla team that only had to control 34-percent of the possession to get the three points.
Club Tijuana did have a bit of bad luck on the day as a head scratching penalty was called for Puebla in the 26th minute. A free kick shot attempt by Puebla smashed into the wall and the sphere flew to the air as Tijuana’s Aaron Mejia and Puebla’s Raul Castillo both looked to get possession.
There was contact inside of the penalty area by Mejia on Castillo and referee Marco Antonio Ortiz did not hesitate to call the foul. The decision was controversial as the contact looked soft and there is inclusively a handball by Raul Castillo on the play.
However, the penalty was called and Emiliano Gomez stepped up to take the penalty and score with a shot to the left of Miguel Ortega.
That goal set the tempo for the match as Xolos really struggled to generate offensive play in the first half. Juan Carlos Osorio made three changes to start the second half as Joaquin Fernandez, Ramiro Franco and Ivan Tona came on for Aaron Mejia, Unai Bilbao and Joe Corona.
The team improved with these changes, but the offense was thwarted with a solid effort by Miguel Jimenez in between the sticks. Puebla put the nail in the coffin in the 82nd minute with a goal by Ricardo Marin. Marin finished the scoring opportunity inside of the penalty area off a cross by former Xolos fullback Brayan Angulo.
The match ended 2-o at the Estadio Cuauhtemoc in what was a highly frustrating match for the border city team. Club Tijuana is now on a five-game losing streak and playoff hopes grow slimmer with each negative result.
The Xoloitzcuintles will have to make a quick turnaround as they host Pumas UNAM at the Estadio Caliente this Tuesday, February 25.
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.