GAMES TO WATCH
The new season features some games that should not be missed.
Here is a rundown of them (all times Pacific):
Week 1
Saturday, July 23
vs. Morelia, 5 p.m., Estadio Caliente
TV: TV Azteca
Outlook: Historic match for the Xolos and the City of Tijuana, first official First Division match. Morelia is the runner-up Mexican champion.
Week 2
Saturday, July 30
at Monterrey, 5 p.m.,
Estadio Tecnológico
TV: Televisa
Outlook: First road game for the Xolos. The team will get its first real taste of hostile environments in the First Division.
Week 3
To be rescheduled
vs. Chivas Guadalajara,
Estadio Caliente
TV: TV Azteca
Outlook: This game, originally scheduled for Aug. 3, was to be the Xolos' first match against one of Mexico's most popular teams. The match will likely be rescheduled since Chivas is also scheduled to face Spanish giant Barcelona in a friendly in Miami on the same day. There is speculation Chivas will come to Tijuana sometime in September.
[p]Week 6[/p]
Saturday, Aug. 20
vs. Cruz Azul, 3 p.m., Estadio Azul
TV: TV Azteca
Outlook: By this time the Xolos would have shown if the team can compete in the First Division. Cruz Azul will be a real test. La Máquina is one of the league's top teams and a semifinalist in the last tournament. This is the Xolos' first of three trips to Mexico City.
Week 10
Sunday, Sept. 25, 2 p.m., Estadio Azteca
vs. Club America
TV: Televisa
Outlook: Another visit to Mexico City, this time against one of the most popular teams in Mexico. This is where the Xolos wanted to be since they were founded in 2007, playing against a big market team on a Sunday afternoon on national television.
Week 11
Sunday, Oct. 2, noon, Estadio Caliente
vs. UANL Tigres
Outlook: Tigres is another popular team in the northern region of Mexico. The team from Monterrey should draw a nice crowd. Tigres should also be a tough task for Tijuana. This could be an important point in the season.
Week 13
Saturday, Oct. 15, 5 p.m., Estadio Caliente
vs. Pachuca
Outlook: The Xolos should have an idea at this point where it will rank amid teams fighting to stay in the First Division and avoid demotion to the minor league. At the same time, Club Tijuana could be counting down the matches and points needed to clinch a spot in the post season. Pachuca is one of Mexico's most successful clubs in recent history, winning several international tournaments.
Week 17
Sunday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m., Estadio Universitario
vs. Pumas UNAM
Outlook: This is the regular season finale. And it comes against the defending champion and one of Mexico's most powerful teams. The Xolos could be on their way to a demotion or into the post season. This will be their third visit to Mexico City and another challenge. If the Xolos will be a true First Division team, it will have to rise to the occasion.
Alexandra Mendoza contributed to this story.
