Notes from the Western Frontera - July 1

New Tijuana manager Eduardo Coudet is making his mark on the club, signing a slew of new players ahead of the club’s first friendly.

Tijuana’s first signing of the week was Gustavo Bou. The Argentine forward scored ten goals in twenty-two Primera Division appearances in the 2016-17 season for Racing Club. Bou played in a two striker system with Racing, usually pairing up with Lautaro Martinez or Pablo Cuadra.

“Pantera” Bou said that he was impressed with Xolos as a club, saying “I made my decision after the coaching staff called and made it clear it wanted to bring me here and the effort the front office made to get me here. I really value that.”

Bou was just the first signing of the week, as the club signed Alejandro Donatti the day after announcing the Bou signing.

Donatti is a 6’3” center back who spent last season with Flamengo in Brazil’s Serie A. The 30 year old Donatti made just three appearances with Flamengo, however over the previous three years he made 109 appearances with Argentina’s Rosario Central.

The following day, the club signed right winger Luis Mendoza. Unlike Bou and Donatti, Mendoza has spent his entire career in Mexico, most recently with Club America, Santos, and Chiapas.

“Quick” scored one goal in fifteen appearances with Chiapas in 2016-17, and has been used on the left wing and as a second striker.

Xolos stopped signing players long enough to get in a friendly against Cuervos J.A.P. last night. Prior to the match, General Manager Ignacio Palou discussed why the club chose to play against the club based in nearby Ensenada. “We are a regional team and part of all of Baja California,” Palou said. “It is very gratifying to us to be able to cater to our fans in Ensenada.”

Damian Perez scored a great goal in the first half off of a good pass by Mauricio Cuero and a better dummy by Nacho Malcorra.

That goal was all the club would need, as they defeated Cuervos J.A.P. 1-0.

The women’s team also played against Cuervos J.A.P.’s women, drawing them 1-1. According to the press release, Yael Hueso scored in the 73rd minute for Tijuana while Lizeth Macias scored for Cuervos in the 78th.

Rumors worth paying attention to (either because they’ll happen or you can look back and laugh at the absurdity of it all): While the rumors around Bou and Donatti came through, thus far the one regarding Damian Musto still has not and has seemed to die down a little bit.

A new name emerging is Matias Aguirregaray - a 28 year old Uruguayan right back who currently plays for Estudiantes in (where else?) the Argentine Primera Division. Most of Coudet’s signings have been offensive, so he could be looking to bring in some competition for Juan Carlos Nunez.

Another rumored signing is 26 year old Ecuadorean center back Arturo Mina, who is currently with River Plate. It would be an odd signing, as the club just signed Alejandro Donatti earlier this week and still have a very good center back corps of Emanuel Aguilera, Michael Orozco, and Jesus Chavez. Then again, Coudet is re-making Xolos into his team and could be looking to complete a total overhaul of the club.