The Xolos Tijuana vs L.A. Firpo Concachampions (CONCACAF Champions League) match will be held this Wednesday, August 28, 2013 (7:00 PM Pacific) at the Estadio Caliente. Xolos are undefeated in the CCL, and need a home win over Firpo in order to (almost) clinch a spot in the quarterfinals.
Xolos had its first two CCL matches in Central America. The first game ended in a 0-0 draw with Firpo, the second match was a 3-2 victory over Victoria. Xolos now have 4 points, a win over Firpo would put them at 7 points, basically (though not mathematically) placing Tijuana in the CCL quarterfinals.
Although Xolos is one win away from earning a historic berth to the CCL quarterfinals, Tijuana has been inconsistent and is a mere shadow of what we saw last season. Under coach Jorge Almiron, Xolos appears to lack the cohesiveness and defensive strength that Turco gave the squad. Most importantly, Almiron has been absolutely awful at making substitutions.
In essentially every match, Almiron has put in the wrong player or failed to make the adequate change, costing Xolos a drop in form. Whether Almiron will learn from these first 8 matches is hard to tell, at this point in the season, a more experience coach would have a good understanding of his team. Something which Almiron has failed to achieve.
For their part, LA Firpo are coming into the Estadio Caliente knowing that a loss would basically eliminate them from the Concachampions. To further complicate things for them, Firpo will have 4 players unavailable, due to a match fixing scandal. It appears to be a near impossible task for Firpo at the Estadio Caliente.
Tijuana Xolos vs Firpo Prediction
The Xolos vs Firpo CCL match should be the deciding factor that pushes Tijuana through to the CCL quarterfinals. Xolos has everything in its favor: the crowd, playing at home, a better roster, and facing a team that is in the middle of a scandal. The only weak point, in my opinion, is Almiron, a coach that has yet to master the second half substitutions/tactics. Nonetheless, Tijuana will have enough talent to come out with the victory, and maintain the undefeated streak at the Estadio Caliente. The Xolos Tijuana vs Firpo match will end in a 2-1 win for the Liga MX side.
Tijuana Xolos vs Firpo TV Schedule
The Xolos vs Firpo CCL match will be televised this Wednesday, August 28, 2013 on Univision Deportes at 7:00 PM Pacific.
