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Published on Sep, 14 2024
Mexican soccer loyalties will be divided this weekend between Club America and Chivas de Guadalajara supporters as two of the country's most historic soccer teams battle it out in the Clasico Nacional on Mexico's Independence Weekend. It will be the 214th anniversary of the start of Mexico's War of Independence with Spain, but no love will be lost between these two giants of the domestic game although this encounter will not be at Estadio Azteca due to renovation work ahead of the opening game of the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Club America are temporarily without a home and Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes -- which also hosts Cruz Azul right now -- is not exactly attracting fans in their droves. That said, the Clasico will always enjoy major support whatever the location and this is another sell-out. Las Aguilas are not only in ropey condition off the field but they look questionable on it too with injuries to key players as well as Julian Quinones' recent exit to Saudi Arabia. The defending Liga MX champions will do well to make the Liguilla playoffs as they seek a third consecutive title as they sit 12th after seven games having just suffered a 4-1 loss in the Clasico Joven to Cruz Azul.
Chivas are in improving form though and beat Juarez last time out to remaining unbeaten in four. Fernando Gago has been boosted by contributions from U.S. Men's National Team international Cade Cowell as well as Mexicans Roberto Alvarado and Armando Gonzalez. America's poor form is there for Chivas to exploit and it would be a first win in four meetings if it comes to pass. Even that win was tainted somewhat by the fact that it was still part of an aggregate loss in the two-legged CONCACAF Champions Cup.
El Clasico de clasicos was expected to be fairly straightforward for America as reigning Bicampeonatos and Andre Jardine's side even eliminated Chivas from the Clausura semifinals earlier this year. However, four losses from six is poor from the champions who now hve a mountain to climb in their title defense. Chivas stated slowly but have improved lately with Gago seeing his players draw 1-1 with Tigres before a 5-0 thrashing of Juarez. Contrast that with Club America's back-to-back losses including that 4-1 humbling to Cruz Azul.
America: USMNT's Alejandro Zendejas is back in full training and should be available to Jardine but defender Igor Lichnovsky is done for the season. Leading goal scorer Henry Martin has six goals to his name with Javairo Dilrosun adding two along with Brian Rodriguez as Martin also lead the way with three assists.
Possible America XI: Luis Malagon, Israel Reyes Romero, Sebastian Caceres, Nestor Araujo, Cristian Borja, Richard Sanchez, Jonathan dos Santos, Alvaro Fidalgo, Diego Valdes, Brian Rodriguez, Henry Martin.
Chivas: Gago has some injury concerns, notably Javier Hernandez, with Chicharito nursing a thigh problem which has required Armando Gonzalez and Cade Cowell to lead for goals on three apiece. Roberto Alvarado has two but has also chipped in with three assists to help to keep this Chivas side rolling.
Possible Chivas XI: Jose Raul Rangel, Alan Mozo, Antonio Briseno, Gilberto Sepulveda, Jose Castillo, Fernando Gonzalez, Fernando Beltran, Erick Gutierrez, Roberto Alvarado, Armando Gonzalez, Cade Cowell.
Chivas have not had much to shout about against America of late with May 2023's playoffs elimination arguably the Rojiblancos's last major success against their bitter rivals. Home win would reinforce the seniority of Jardine's men and not just in this rivalry and Las Aguilas did win their last meeting. From the past 10 meetings, America have won six to Chivas' two so do not be surprised if this one goes with form -- narrowly. Pick: America 1, Chivas 0.
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