Cimarrones vs. Xolos - Copa MX: Highlights and box score

Tijuana’s 2017 Clausura Copa MX play didn’t get off to the best start, as Xolos dropped their match against Ascenso MX side Cimarrones de Sonora 1-0.The play was rough and tumble on a pitch the size of your living room, and at times it seemed there were more errant passes than ones that found their mark.

Gabino Espinoza was forced to make a sprawling save in the 10th minute on a shot from Juan Martín Lucero, and though the ball squirted free from his grasp he was able to get up and corral the ball before it was able to cause any issues. As play continued, the fouls got harder and harder with no cards shown - although the referee was equal in not carding anyone on either team for their transgressions.

Henry Martín was able to get a tight-angle shot off near the 40th minute, but Espinoza was up to the challenge and batted down the shot before smothering the rebound. Minutes later, Abraham Carreño connected with a bicycle kick, but it hit his shin and sailed just wide of the Xolos’ goal.

Disaster struck in the 50th minute for Xolos, when a corner kick was whipped into the box. Yasser Corona looked to have the angle on the incoming kick but missed the clearing header. Luis Loroña got his head on it, putting it in past Luis Michel and giving Cimarrones the 1-0 lead.

Minutes later, Lucero got his head on one that Espinoza was able to turn over the bar. Xolos had another scare as Abraham Carreño raced down the wing, drawing Luis Michel far off of his line. Carreño however couldn’t get a shot off in time, and his shot hit the side netting.

In the 71st minute, Xolos was able to get one past Espinoza but it was correctly rules offside by the linesman. Xolos shifted to a 3-5-2 and really started piling the pressure on, forcing Espinoza to tip a pair of Victor Malcorra shots over the bar. Xolos were ultimately unable to break down the Cimarrones defense, and left Hermosillo without any points.

The next match in the Copa MX Group 1 will be next Wednesday when Correcaminos UAT host Cimarrones. Xolos will then in turn host Correcaminos on January 31st. Xolos next match overall is this Saturday when they head to Guadalajara to face off against Chivas.

Cimarrones: Gabino Espinoza; Cristian Ivanobski, Juan de Alba, Néstor Vidrio, Erik Pedroza; Luis Oropeza, Kalú Gastelum, Jairo Araújo, Abraham Carreño; Luis Loroña (Aldo Polo, 72’), Junior Moreno (Diego Andrade, 45’)

Xolos: Luis Michel; John Requejo, Yasser Corona, Emanuel Aguilera, Michael Orozco (Milton Caraglio, 77’); Juan Carlos Medina (Paul Arriola, 66’), Juan Carlos Núñez; Luis Chávez (Victor Malcorra, 62’), Juan Martín Lucero, Joe Corona; Henry Martín

Scoring: Cimarrones - Luis Loroña (50’)

Disciplinary: Cimarrones - Juan de Alba (Yellow - 62’), Erik Pedroza (Yellow - 88’); Xolos - John Requejo (Yellow - 82’), Joe Corona (Yellow - 84’), Victor Malcorra (Yellow - 90+3’)