At 7:30 p.m. today, Bravos de FC Juarez and Santos will kickoff in Copa MX match at Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium. Both teams will have plenty to play for as this will be the last match for Bravos and the next to last match for Santos in the group stage of the competition.

A win for FC Juarez would guarantee a top 3, if not a top 2 seed in the 1-match knockout stage which is a 16 team bracket. For the remainder of the competition the home field advantage will go to the higher seeded team.

  1. Santos needs a win to have a chance to simply advance into the knockout stage of the competition. They would still have to take care of business against Veracruz next week in Torreon.
  2. Santos midfielder Walter Gael Sandoval will return to the Borderland for the first time since he left Bravos to return to Santos after having a standout season with FC Juarez in their inaugural year. Sandoval has become an undeniable starter for Santos this season and will most likely start tonight against FC Juarez.  Santos traveled to the Borderland with their first team to face Bravos.
  3. While the teams may not have a rivalry, not the same can be said for the fans.  I'd be lying if I said that Santos fans and Juarez soccer like each other.  A full to near capacity Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium is expected tonight for the match that will also be televised nationally here in the states on ESPN Deportes.

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