The last time Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles played a game on the road it was a disaster.

At least that's how the club and its fans saw it. A 4-0 loss at Leon was not what the Xolos were anticipating of their first away match in the 2012 Apertura tournament.

Tijuana is back on the road this week when it visits Pachuca in a Week 4 match up that followed a 1-0 win at home against Pumas UNAM.

The Xolos (2-1-0, six points) are hoping to bounce back when they are away from the comforting confine of Estadio Caliente and its artificial turf when they take on "Los Tuzos," one Mexico's more respected and talented franchises.

But this is a different Pachuca team the Xolos will face. At least for the moment. Pachuca (1-1-1, four points) is coming off its first win of the season, a 1-0 outing against lowly Queretaro. The Tuzos were shutout by Atlas and played to a scoreless tie with Atlante in its first two games of the season.

It is not the start Pachuca wanted under new coach Hugo Sanchez, the former Mexican national team player and former national team coach. Sanchez is considered a legend for his goals as a player in the 1970s, 80s and part of the 90s. He had some success as a coach, taking Pumas UNAM to consecutive titles in 2004 only to resign the next season after poor results by the club.

He coached Mexico from 2006 through 2008 with minimal success. He was fired after he failed to qualify the Under-23 team to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

This is Sanchez newest stint as a coach in Mexico. And he faces what could be his toughest task yet this Apertura tournament.

Sanchez and Pachuca are slated to see one of Mexican soccer's top defenses. Take away the 4-0 rout against Leon, and the Xolos are yet to allow a goal.

The Xolos have had success keeping possession and keeping an organized back line. That has been its trademark this tournament.

"We will be looking to be an organized defensive team and continue to keep the ball," said Xolos midfielder Leandro Augusto. "But we also have to make sure we are in sync with our teammates so we can give our forwards plenty of scoring options."

Tijuana will have to rely on strikers Duvier Riascos and Raul Enriquez. Both are likely to start against Pachuca. Argentine striker Alfredo Moreno, the Xolos' last offseason acquisition, will most likely miss the game. He is resting a banged up right knee. He took a blow to the knee early in the Xolos' win against Pumas.

Moreno practiced with the backups this week. He was seen participating in a 11-on-11 scrimmage during a training session at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista Tuesday night. Moreno participated for about 20 minutes before sitting out. He appeared to have some limited movement but he was able to move around, pass and kick long balls throughout the field.

Xolos assistant manager Roberto Cornejo said Moreno will probably be ready for the Xolos home match against Tigres UANL on Aug. 17.

Xolos and Pachuca have met twice since Tijuana was promoted to the First Division two years ago. Pachuca beat the Xolos 1-0 in Pachuca in the teams' last meeting. That was in the 2012 Clausura. The first meeting between both teams featured the Xolos beating Pachuca 3-2 at Estadio Caliente during the 2011 Clausura, the Xolos' first tournament in the First Division.

ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com