Xolos remain undefeated at home with 1-0 win vs. Mazatlan
Credit: Xolos
The Tijuana Xolos hosted Mazatlan FC at the Estadio Caliente for a game in the Liga MX 2024 Apertura this Friday, September 27.
Club Tijuana headed into the game on a two-game losing streak but was also undefeated in four home games before this one.
Juan Carlos Osorio was not on the sidelines for this match, as he received a red card in the last match against Pumas UNAM. Assistant managers Francisco Londono and Cirilo Saucedo took the reins for this game in the Colombian manager’s absence.
The Border City Dogs were the heavy favorites coming into the match and displayed that dominance early on. The Xoloitzcuintles scored within the first five minutes of the match via a shot from inside of the box by Kevin Castaneda. Castaneda received the ball off a cross by Emanuel Reynoso and fired a potent strike to gain the early lead.
#xolos off to an early 1-0 lead vs. Mazatlan within the first five minutes after a goal by Kevin Castañeda.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/09rC4DsP2v
— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) September 28, 2024
Xolos’ goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez had a key moment in the 10th minute when he stopped a one-on-one strike from Brian Rubio. Juan Carlos Osorio’s unorthodox usage of Antonio Rodriguez and Jesus Corona in net has been giving positive results so far.
The synthetic turf at the Mictlan has the potential to cause some issues, and it definitely did on the night with four injuries in the first half. Rafael Fernandez and Carlos Gonzalez were both subbed off for Club Tijuana and were replaced by Aaron Mejia and Domingo Blanco. While Alonzo Escoboza and Ramiro Franco went down for the visitors.
Mazatlan’s goalkeeper, Hugo Gonzalez, also sustained a hand injury and was replaced by Ricardo Gutierrez to start the second half.
The second half of the game lacked fluidity and was quite a dull affair at the Estadio Caliente. The match was riddled with fouls, and the referee frequently stopped the play of the game.
Club Tijuana wasted several goalscoring opportunities, but luckily for Xolos, Mazatlan was unable to produce much offensive play. Mazatlan’s Goalkeeper Ricardo Gutierrez was tested on a few occasions, but the Mexican shot-stopper came through with some impressive saves.
#Xolos assistant manager Francisco Londoño after the 1-0 victory against Mazatlan: “It wasn’t easy to penetrate a backline of seven playing a 5-4-1 formation.”@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/Dup29rRFko
— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) September 28, 2024
Assistant manager Francisco Londono attended the media after the match. The Colombian coach was very thankful for being able to manage this game in Osorio’s absence. “I am grateful to be able to live an experience like this in Mexico,” Londono said. Osorio’s assistant also talked about the game flow and the complications that came with it. “It wasn’t easy to penetrate a backline of seven, playing a 5-4-1 formation.”
The Border City Dogs are now undefeated in five games at the Estadio Caliente this season. The Aztec Canines have four wins and a draw at home in what has been the key to the team’s progression in this 2024 Apertura.
Club Tijuana will have another opportunity to get some points at home this next Friday, October 4, when Xolos hosts Pachuca.
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.