Bravos de FC Juarez opened their 2023 clausura season at home in style on Saturday night defeating Xolos de Tijuana by the score of 3-0. The result gave the Bravos their first win of the season as they fell to Pumas in the season opener in Mexico City.

Forward Dario Lezcano was the star of the night scoring two of the three goals. Lezcano scored both goals (33rd and 54th minute) by way of headers off of corner kicks. This was after FC Juarez was already leading 1-0 after Jesus Duenas scored via a penalty kick in the 14th minute.

For Lezcano, it was a performance that marked his comeback after over a year of recovering from injury. The road to recovery has been a long one for Lezcano but after this two goal performance, he has made it clear that he is ready to get more playing time. Lezcano got the start on Saturday night because Gabriel Fernandez received a red card against Pumas and was serving a one match suspension.

After the match Bravos head coach Hernan Cristante spoke of Lezcano’s performance calling it a "well deserved prize". Cristante said "It’s a direct result of his effort (to recover), hard work and not giving up. It hasn’t been the most comfortable situation for him and it’s been a struggle. I still don’t think he is 100% and we’re still not seeing the best version of him, nonetheless it’s well deserved."

FC Juarez.
FC Juarez.
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As for the team’s overall performance Cristante said, "The opening 10 minutes were tough. We struggle to hold on to the ball. They (Xolos) were fast, aggressive and pressed making it a struggle. But we were able to adjust and when ball possession was maintained that’s when our chances on goal were created."

With the win, the team from the Borderland moves into fourth place in the standings table. More important than that, the win against Xolos moves them up and out of the final three places in the average points per match table that determines what teams, those that finish in the last three places, will pay a multi-million dollar fines at the end of the season.

FC Juarez women’s team win two in a row

The Bravos men’s team wasn’t the only team that was able to obtain a victory this past weekend. FC Juarez women defeated Queretaro on the road by the score of 1-0. The “Bravas” won their first two matches of the regular season and are one of five teams to have done so.

They currently sit in third place in the general standings table as a result of goal differential.

Up next will be a stern test at home this Friday afternoon against Pachuca. Pachuca is coming off a dominating victory at home where they defeated Toluca by the score of 10-2. Yes you read that correctly. The ‘Tuzas’ scored 10 goals.

Friday’s match will be televised nationally on Fox Deportes.

FC Juarez.
FC Juarez.
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What next for the men

The Bravos will travel to the state of Hidalgo to face Pachuca on Sunday evening. Pachuca is coming off of a 4-1 to Tigres and will look to get back on the winning track. The defending Liga BBVA Mx champion opened their season with a thorough 5-1 win against Puebla at home.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:10 pm on Sunday and the match will be televised nationally on TUDN.

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