Tijuana Xolos begin Leagues Cup campaign against LAFC
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Game: LAFC vs Tijuana Xolos
Where: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles
When: Friday, July 26, 2024
Time: 8:00 p.m. PST
TV: Apple TV
This Friday, July 26, the Tijuana Xolos will begin their 2024 Leagues Cup campaign close to home as the Border City Dogs take on MLS side LAFC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Club Tijuana had a forgettable participation in the 2023 Leagues Cup tournament and will be looking to improve this year.
The Aztec Canines had a manager change to start the new season, with Juan Carlos Osorio taking charge of the border city club. The Colombian manager had made a positive impact on the Xoloitzcuinles with a more orderly side. In Liga MX play, Club Tijuana has seven points from four games, and this includes an away win, which is not easy to come by for this team.
Xolos are coming off a hard-fought 1-1 draw against San Luis away from home in league play. Domingo Blanco is currently joint top scorer of Tijuana with two goals and has been one of the better players in Juan Carlos Osorio’s team. This game will also be a homecoming for Joe Corona and Efrain Alvarez, who were both born in Los Angeles.
Corona has stepped up his role from last season and it will be interesting to see if he starts this match. Club Tijuana recently suffered a 3-0 loss to Cruz Azul, but the defense has overall been very structured.
LAFC has been one of the best teams in this 2024 MLS season, currently fourth in the overall table. Los Angeles has only lost one of their last six MLS games. The Southern California team is coming off a massive 3-0 victory against Seattle Sounders away from home. Manager Steve Cherundolo is considered one of the best in the league and a strong candidate for the USMNT job.
Splash signing Olivier Giroud is yet to play for LAFC, but has the potential to make his debut in this match against Xolos. LAFC already has one of the best offenses in MLS, and the World Cup winner will only make this attack more potent.
Denis Bouanga has been one of the best players in MLS this season with 16 goals and eight assists. The African forward will need to be marked tightly by the Xolos’ backline in this clash.
This is set to be a very tough match for Club Tijuana, but there is a lot to play for in this Leagues Cup, and it cannot be taken lightly. Winning the Leagues Cup guarantees you a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League, which is something that will be hard for Xolos to obtain through Liga MX play.
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.