Photo Credit: Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles
Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles are off to a great start in the Clausura 2015 season of LIGA MX. The team currently sits at the top of the league table with 16 points in seven matches. Following a Week 1 loss in Puebla, the Xolos have gone on a six game unbeaten streak winning five of those matches and tying one.
Here are the five reason why these Xolos have found success this season.
1- Manager Daniel ‘Travieso’ Guzman is a player’s manager
Daniel Guzman is one of Mexico’s brightest young managers. He has saved several teams from the relegation drop and lead Santos Laguna to a league title. Guzman makes his presence felt among the squad as another member of it, not as “The Boss”. Player feel comfortable and loose around Guzman. “El Travieso” often takes part in the soccer drills that the players go through, no doubt missing his playing days. The atmosphere Guzman has created in Tijuana has united the entire squad and the players play their hearts out for their teammates (including “The Boss”).
2- Key offseason signing
The Xolos lost two of their key players from past seasons, defensive midfielder Christian Pellerano and center striker Dario Benedetto. The club also lost the services of USMNT left-back Edgar Castillo and central defender Hernan Pellerano. Between Guzman and the club directors they brought in the right players to cover the losses. Gabriel Hauche is arguably the best offseason signing of the entire league, he has already netted three league goals playing from a deeper position than what he was use to. Central defender Jesus Chavez has settled in nicely as well alongside Javier Gandolfi in his first season as a Xolo. Club youngsters Greg Garza and Javier Guemez have also stepped up and claimed a place in the starting lineup.
Photo Credit: Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles
3- Veteran leadership
With the departure of Dario Benedetto and Christian Pellerano, team captain Javeir Gandolfi was going to need some help in the leadership of the club. Strikers Alfredo Moreno and Dayro Moreno and Venezuelan midfielder Juan Arango have stepped into the leadership roles of the team. Dayro is the team’s leading goal scorer with four goals, Arango has allowed his vast experience to help him transition into a deeper role in the midfield. Despite his age Alfredo is still banging in the goals and setting up his teammates as well.
4- Home field advantage
Tijuana has the one and only synthetic grass field in the Liga MX and it gives them an advantage over visiting rivals. The geography of the border town also seems to help as opposition have to travel longer distances. This Clausura 2015 season the Xolos have a perfect three wins in three matches in the Estadio Caliente. Add to that another two wins in two matches in the Copa MX competition.
5- No fear of the big teams
Daniel Guzman has brought in a playing system and the players have all bought into it. The team will play its style against any team in the league with no fear of any team. The Xolos issued reigning champs Club America its first loss of the season. Club Tijuana then followed that performance up by traveling to Monterrey and defeating last season’s runners-up finishers Tigres UANL. Xolos also gave Pumas UNAM – considered among Mexico ‘Big Four’ – a 3-0 beating at the Estadio Caliente.
