The Tijuana Xolos played their 13th game in the Liga MX 2024 Apertura season this Wednesday, October 24, against Club America.

Club Tijuana were favorites heading into the match, riding on a three-game win streak.

However, Club America was not expected to be an easy opponent, given the talent of the current squad. Juan Carlos Osorio made four changes to the Xolos lineup that was able to defeat Necaxa 2-1 on the road. One of the more significant changes was that 15-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora was given the opportunity to start this match against Club America.

Former Xolos striker Henry Martin made a huge impact in this match and provided a pair of assists in the match. The first came in the first goal of the match in the 25th minute when Martin bolted down the left flank and crossed the ball to Alejandro Zendejas inside the box,

Zendejas was free to easily score the opportunity and give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the Mictlan. There was nearly a sold-out crowd at the Border City Fortress, with plenty of fans from both sides in the stands.

The crowd exploded with Zendejas’ goal, as this was not an ideal start for Club Tijuana. The intensity rose in the match, which sparked an argument between Juan Carlos Osorio and Club America manager Andre Jardine.

Osorio remained heated with the match officials and received a red card, which was his third of the season in all competitions.

Shortly after the expulsion, America’s Victor Davila picked up a serious injury and was subbed out for Rodrigo Aguirre in the 42nd minute. Just shortly before the end of the first half, a golden opportunity arose for the Border City Dogs as the young Gilberto Mora earned a penalty.

Mora was taken out inside of the penalty area by Club America defender Miguel Vazquez, and team captain Christian Rivera stepped up to take it. Rivera is a specialist when it comes to penalties and did not miss this one to tie up the game 1-1 in stoppage time of the first half.

#Xolos tie it up 1-1 against América just before the end of the first half with a penalty scored by Christian Rivera.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/tpnYwNijWP

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) October 24, 2024

A pair of changes were made for Xolos to start the second half as Emanuel Reynoso and Diego Barbosa replaced Gilberto Mora and Rafael Fernandez. Almost immediately, Domingo Blanco scored to start the second half with a magnificent strike from the left flank in what seemed like almost an impossible angle to shoot from.

Club America kept on pressing after the goal and really pushed for the equalizer at the Mictlan. Rodrigo Aguirre was close to scoring in the 50th minute, but his shot hit the edge of the post and was denied the net.

In the 68th minute, Rodrigo Aguirre finally broke through with a strike from inside of the box that he was not missing. Henry Martin provided the assist in what was very impressive work by the Mexico international to get the ball to the Argentine striker.

Straight after the goal, Las Aguilas almost regained the lead, but Xolos goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez denied the shot by Alejandro Zendejas. In the 75th minute, Ivan Tona nealry scored for Club Tijuana, but he was denied by America keeper Luis Angel Malagon.

Antonio Rodriguez picked up an injury and was replaced by Jesus Corona in the 81st minute. The veteran goalkeeper ended up being one of the most important players in the match, with a pair of saves that kept the score level.

The match ended 2-2 in what was a very hard-fought match at the Estadio Caliente on this Wednesday night. Club America was the better team in the second half and really did not take advantage of their goalscoring opportunities. However, there were also some chances that were botched by Tijuana’s offense in this game.

With this result, Club Tijuana is now undefeated in four consecutive games and is still undefeated at home in seven matches this season. The Aztec Canines are in sixth place with 24 points after the draw and will face Atlas away from home on Saturday, October 26.

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.