Notes from the Western Frontera

The Chacho Coudet era officially got underway with Club Tijuana this week, as Xolos’ new manager was unveiled to the media on Monday.

According to a press release, the 42 year old Coudet was joined by “Team President Jorgealberto Hank, General Manager Ignacio Palou, Deputy General Manager Roberto Cornejo and the rest of Coudet’s coaching staff. Ernesto Colman, the fitness trainer, and Damian Faccuto and Diego Monarriz, the assistant coaches were also present.”

The Xolos Liga MX schedule was also released this week, with the Xolos’ season opener being July 21 at home against Cruz Azul. The season finishes up at Estadio Nemesio Diez against Toluca on November 19th.

Practices resumed for the players this week, with Xolos releasing several videos on their twitter feed of players working out and training. The club held two training sessions on Thursday, however no video were posted on Friday of any training sessions (if it’s not on Facebook, did it even happen?).

The club did a good interview with new goalkeeper Tono Rodriguez.

Personally I’m interested to see who will be in goal this year for Xolos, whether it’s Rodriguez or Gibran Lajud. Lajud did really well in the 2017 Clausura and seemed to grow into the position, but I feel like you don’t go out and get a guy like Tono to just back up Lajud. Interesting fact (perhaps only to me): Tono got his break at Chivas when Luis Michel - currently the number three goalkeeper in Tijuana - was sent on loan to Saprissa in 2014.

Lastly but certainly not least(ly), Liga MX Femenil announced it’s structure and schedule this week as well. Xolos will be in Group 1 with Club America, Cruz Azul, Morelia, Pachuca, Veracruz, Toluca and Pumas. According to the Tijuana press release, “the Xoloitzcuintles home matches will be played Saturdays (12:45 p.m. Pacific) at Estadio Caliente.” Their first match will be July 29 against Club America in Mexico City.

Rumors worth paying attention to (either because they’ll happen or you can look back and laugh at the absurdity of it all): Thanks to Xolos now having Argentine Chacho Coudet at the helm, the club is seemingly linked to every Argentine that’s ever kicked a soccer ball. The most recent rumors say that Racing Club’s Gustavo Bou will be headed to Tijuana for $8 million, but that’s supposed to have been a done deal according to some going back to May so I wouldn’t hold my breath on that.

Another rumor that’s been making the rounds is Damian Musto of Coudet’s former club Rosario Central would be coming, most likely to replace Guido Rodriguez. This stems from a tweet back in the end of May by ESPN’s Latin American SporsCenter.

This one seems to have a little more legs to it than the Bou rumors but as with any transfer rumors, take it with a grain of salt.