Club Tijuana will play their third official match against San Diego FC this Wednesday in the Baja Cup, a regional friendly that will serve to observe academy players. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m. At Snapdragon Stadium, will feature alternate lineups from both clubs.
Xolos coach Sebastián 'Loco' Abreu has decided not to risk his regular starters ahead of next weekend's Liga MX fixture. Instead, he will give minutes to youngsters from the club's academy. This decision comes as the team sits seventh in the table with 13 points from seven games, six points behind leaders Toluca.
The squad traveling to San Diego will be composed mainly of youth players. Striker Gilberto Mora, the team's top scorer this season with four goals in six appearances, is expected to be unavailable due to a reported injury. The focus will be on other homegrown talents looking to seize the opportunity.
On the home side, San Diego FC will also field a reserve-heavy lineup and six players from their Right to Dream international academy, following a 5-0 defeat last Sunday. Their coach, Mikey Varas, was pragmatic about the match. "It is what it is," Varas said. "We have everything to play for, also coming back from the last game. Also, a little trophy on the line."
The cup is the result of a five-year partnership between the clubs, separated by just 24 miles. Of the two previous meetings, both at the same stadium, San Diego FC came out on top. They won the inaugural cup 4-2 in September and also won 1-0 in Leagues Cup play last August 9. For the Xolos, this match is a valuable rehearsal amid an inconsistent run of Liga MX form, where their recent record shows two wins and three losses in their last five outings.
The team will immediately return to focus on domestic competition afterward. Their next official fixture is a visit to CF Pachuca on September 21, an opponent they beat 2-0 in their last meeting in August of last year. Fans can follow the team's full schedule on our fixtures page and check the squad list to see all players.
The original report is at sandiegouniontribune.com
