Toronto FC to play preseason friendly against Club Tijuana

With not much time to spare, Toronto FC have announced their first preseason game. They’ll be in San Diego on January 31 to play Liga MX side Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles (also known as Xolos).

With the CONCACAF Champions League starting in late February, a competitive preseason schedule is important for TFC. They said a few weeks ago that they’d be travelling to Mexico or Central America this winter, ideally to play against teams that will prepare them for the different style they’ll encounter in the CCL.

This game will be in the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium, but the Reds could well train in Mexico before and/or after.

Club Tijuana are a solid middle-of-the-pack Mexican team, finishing 11th in the Apertura season last fall. They also have a berth in the CCL this year, so it’s possible Toronto could see them again.

They’ll definitely be a harsh return to reality for TFC, who’ll be shaking off the rust by playing a team already a month into the Clausura season. The game has to be on a Wednesday to accommodate for Liga MX fixtures the weekends before and after.

Toronto FC will likely be announcing more preseason friendlies soon, as we inch ever closer to the title defence campaign. If the rest of their fixtures are as competitive as this one is bound to be, that could bode well for a strong Champions League run.