Juan Carlos Valenzuela (pictured) has made 61 appearances in Liga MX regular-season play for Club Tijuana. (Photo: Mexsport)
TIJUANA, Mexico – During his 14-year career, Club Tijuana defender Juan Carlos Valenzuela has been part of Liga MX and CONCACAF Gold Cup championship-winning sides. The Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL) trophy, however, has proven elusive.
With Club Tijuana, he’ll have a third opportunity to become a CONCACAF club champion.
His Xolos will kick off their 2018 Liga MX Clausura schedule on Saturday at Cruz Azul and start their 2018 SCCL campaign on February 21 at Round of 16 rival Motagua.
“The team is focused on both competitions,” said Valenzuela, who missed out on the 2014/15 SCCL title after leaving Club America for Atlas in between the Apertura and Clausura seasons. “Personally, I would love to win the Champions League and play a Club World Cup, but we are planning for the start of the season and going match by match.
“Once the Champions League matches come, obviously, our idea is to be a competitive team in the Champions League and look to win it.”
The 33-year-old knows that a win over Cruz Azul would set a positive tone for the new season, especially coming off one that saw Club Tijuana miss the playoffs by four points.
“We are fine-tuning details and preparing for the match against Cruz Azul,” Valenzuela finished. “It’s important to get three points, and more so starting the season away against a tough opponent and one of Mexican football’s most important clubs.”
Valenzuela has played in six career SCCL games, all with Club America.
