Second date of Apertura 2026: complete schedule

Xolos vs León: duel of the needy on the border

The Xolos de Tijuana return to action this Friday when they host León at the Caliente Stadium. The match corresponds to Matchday 2 of Apertura 2025.

In their debut, the border team beat Tigres 3-1, taking advantage of the rival’s mistakes. For their part, the Panzas Verdes fell 2-3 at home against Atlas and will seek to get back on track.

The words of Sebastián Abreu

The Xolos coach, Sebastián Abreu, highlighted in a press conference his satisfaction with the three points against Tigres. “We are happy for the victory, but we know that there are things to improve, such as the dead ball. In football, winning is much easier,” said the strategist.

Balanced track record

The history between both teams is even. They have faced each other 39 times: 15 wins for each and 9 draws. However, Xolos has won three of the last four duels.

Recent performance

León’s main challenge is to stabilize its lines, after showing defensive doubts against Atlas. While Tijuana seeks to start a tournament with two victories for the first time since Apertura 2024.

The match is scheduled for this Friday at 9:00 p.m. at the Caliente Stadium. It will be broadcast on Fox, Fox One and Caliente TV.

Reactions to Ochoa’s retirement

A few days ago, Guillermo Ochoa announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41. The news generated various reactions in the media. Carlos Salcido, a former teammate on the Mexican team, dedicated heartfelt words to him.

“I thank Memo for that energy, that positivity, that resilience that he has shown,” said the former defender. He stressed that these qualities must serve as an example for new generations.

Salcido also reflected on the lack of references in Mexico.

“Here we are lacking those guides, those characters that motivate us, especially the boys, the girls. Right now we are with the issue of the Women’s League and sometimes we grow a little from those guides to be protagonists and try to make our dreams of being soccer players come true. Today Memo is doing that, later the twenty will fall, but what he has done is impressive,” he explained.

In his farewell, Ochoa shared an emotional message after his participation in the 2026 World Cup, his sixth World Cup.

“I gave it my all, I left everything in my teams and in my national team, and today I hand in my gloves,” he stated.

Salcido closed with a thank you: he recognized the goalkeeper’s dedication during his long career.

Leagues Cup 2023: venues in Mexico and new dynamics

From August 4 to September 6, 18 clubs from Liga MX and 18 from Major League Soccer will compete for the Leagues Cup title. For the first time, four official matches will be played on Mexican territory.

Fans will be able to attend Toluca vs. Seattle Sounders and Toluca vs. Dallas at Nemesio Diez; America vs. San Diego FC at Banorte; and Tigers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps at the Universitario. The organization seeks to strengthen the growth of the contest on both sides of the border.

Carlos Salcido, former soccer player and ambassador of the competition, recalled the intensity of the previous duels between teams from both countries.

“I had to play very cool, very intense and very exciting matches as a player against teams from the United States. In this edition I don’t think it will be the exception.”

Salcido also hoped that a Mexican club could win the trophy, after the first three editions were won by MLS teams.

“We need a Mexican club to appear in this Cup. The last three editions have been won by clubs from the United States, let’s hope this is the good one.”

Tom Mayo, executive director of the Leagues Cup, highlighted the unique nature of the tournament.

“The Leagues Cup is the only official tournament in the world that pits two professional Leagues against each other. That makes this competition unique.”

Víctor Guevara, sports director, pointed out that the rivalry between both leagues is the essence of the championship.

“The rivalry between the Liga MX and MLS teams is the essence of the tournament. That was what we learned from the first edition and it is what we want to continue strengthening year after year.”

The format requires maximum concentration: each club plays three games in the initial phase, always against rivals from the opposite league. Afterwards, only the four best in each circuit advance to direct elimination. A draw or a defeat can leave anyone out.