The Tijuana Xolos will host Pumas UNAM at the Estadio Caliente in Week 14 of the Liga MX 2018 Apertura in what should be a hard-fought encounter. The clash will be a battle between one of the newer teams in Mexico against one of the most historic, but both teams have had several players that have represented both sides, here are five.
Ignacio Malcorra
Malcorra just made the move from Club Tijuana to Pumas UNAM this season and has proven to be crucial for the Mexico City team. The Argentine midfielder was a key player for Xolos when they finished first in back-to-back seasons under “Piojo” Herrera and has been able to maintain a consistent rhythm.
Luis Fuentes
Both Fuentes and Erick Torres made the move from Pumas UNAM to the Aztec Canines this season, but Fuentes has been the better of the two players. The veteran fullback has been a consistent starter for the Xoloitzcuintles and is currently the joint top scorer on the team with two goals. The 32-year-old made over 250 appearances with the university side before moving to the border city club and was part of two Liga MX championship teams.
Ismael Iniguez
Iniguez is another player that made over 200 appearances with Pumas UNAM before playing for Club Tijuana. The Mexican winger played with Los Capitalinos from 2003-2010 and was part of three championship teams, including one with Luis Fuentes in the 2009 Clausura tournament. Iniguez’s stint with Xolos was brief as he played in just 11 games with the Border City Dogs from 2011-2012.
Fidel Martinez
The “Ecuadorian Neymar” first rose to fame with Club Tijuana as he was a key player in Xolos’ surprising title run in the 2012 Apertura season. Martinez was a fan-favorite and was loved by Xoloitzcuintles’ fans, but his career has taken a downward spiral since his departure from the club in 2014. The flashy winger was a shadow of his former self when he arrived with Pumas UNAM in 2015 and is currently without a team.
Leandro Augusto
Augusto was a legendary player for Pumas UNAM as he amassed nearly 350 appearances with the Mexico City side from 2001-2011 and was part of four Liga MX championship teams. The Brazilian midfielder was one of Xolos’ premier signings when the Aztec Canines first achieved promotion to the Liga MX and he was a vital player in Club Tijuana’s 2012 Apertura title-winning team.
