Xolos women’s team to play Rayadas in Liga MX Femenil quarterfinals
Credit: XoloGuero/EVT Sports
This Friday, Nov. 10, the Tijuana Xolos women’s team will play Rayadas at the Estadio Caliente in Tijuana for the first leg of a quarterfinal match in Liga MX Femenil. Xolos Femenil played Rayadas in this same stage last season and unfortunately came away with a 6-3 loss on aggregate across both legs.
In the first leg at home the Club Tijuana ladies defeated Rayadas 2-0, but the border city team suffered a devastating 6-1 loss in the return leg in Monterrey. Xolos Femenil had a highly respectable season, finishing in fifth place with 34 points, just four points behind Monterrey in fourth place.
Tijuana’s top three goalscorers this season all scored six goals this season, as Mayra Pelayo, Sanjuana De Jesus Munoz, and Daniela Espinoza tied for the leading team tally. It was clearly a strong team effort put in by the Club Tijuana ladies, with several areas of the team standing out all season.
For Monterrey, San Diego native Christina Burkenroad was the clear standout with ten goals this season, with several rumors placing her back in NWSL for next season. The La Jolla native recently started representing the Mexico national team and is highly motivated to keep on performing in Liga MX Femenil.
Xolos Femenil finished the regular season with a dominant 3-1 win over Puebla away from home and will be looking to ride that momentum heading into the playoffs. If Club Tijuana wished to make the semifinals, this is a must-win game, considering how dominant Rayadas can be at home.
The Club Tijuana Ladies will play Monterrey before the men’s match between Xolos and Pachuca at the Estadio Caliente on Friday night. Xolos Femenil will play at 4:00 p.m. PST, while the Club Tijuana men’s team will begin at 7:00 p.m. PST. A significant crowd is expected for both games, as there is currently a bundle for 100 Mexican Pesos (approx. $5.50) that grants you access to both matches and even comes with a complementary beer.
Juan Romo’s team has had excellent regular seasons in the past. Still, it has failed to be successful in the playoffs, as this is another opportunity to make a statement in the Liga MX Femenil.
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.