Preview: Saprissa vs América

Today our Aguilas return to see CONCACAF Champions League action tonight as they take on Costa Rica's Saprissa. They'll be playing the 1st leg away at the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium and will play the second leg at the Estadio Azteca next Wednesday on March 4th. Today's match has a lot of excitement behind it because it's between the most recent champions of each club's respected league of the knockout bracket. América won the 2014 Apertura just a few months ago and Saprissa won the 2014 Invierno tournament. Another interesting fact is that both clubs currently share the title of the tournament's golden boot Martín Zúñiga and Ariel Rodríguez sharing 5 goals each.

The best that Saprissa has done in CONCACAF's edition of the Champions League was when they reached the semifinals in the 2010-2011 edition of the tournament. Their amazing run was cut short when they lost 3-2 on aggregate to Real Salt Lake. While América's best performance has been reaching the knockout stage of this edition of the tournament.

América arrived to Costa Rica yesterday with all, but two players Darío Benedetto and Miguel Samudio. Benedetto didn't make the trip because the club decided that it would be best for him to rest for a few days from active competition. While Samudio hasn't fully recuperated from his minor injury that he suffered from last week's training before the game against Pumas UNAM.

Tonight's game will be broadcasted live on Univision Deportes Network at 8:00pm Central Time.

Recap: Pumas vs América

América captured their first clásico of the season yesterday when they visited Pumas at CU. América came into the match hoping to have a similar repeat as they did last week against UNAM's feline counterpart Jaguares where they beat them 5-0 in the Azteca. Pumas returned home with a 3-0 defeat suffered at the border when they faced Xolos. The university squad were hoping to make their fans forget about last week with a win against their cross-city rivals.

The first half started at midday and right from the get go Pumas didn't hesitate to start taking shots at Moises Muñoz's goal. The first half of the game fell in favor of UNAM with the unorganized passes and possession that América had with the ball. For the Americanista it looked as if the ghosts from the Apertura were going to return and give the locals an early advantage at the half. One of the clearest shots for Pumas was when Eduardo Herrera received a through cross, took a clear goal shot, but was denied by Munoz's knee.

The second half went under way and Pumas still tried looking for their 1st goal when Sosa came down the left side of the field, took the ball in, and took a shot at goal. Though Muñoz was able to get his hands on it and then grab it so that he can restart the play from the back.

The goal of the game came in the 52nd minute where Sambueza runs towards UNAM's goal with the ball at his feet. An opposing defender tries knocking him down from behind, but Rubens continues to run in box and takes a shot at goal. Saldivar blocks Sambueza's shot, but Dario Benedetto wins it in the air and scores with a heel kick to put the visitors 1-0.

(Mexsport)

After the goal América continued to attack and could've added at least 3 more goals to the score, but ended up settling for a 1-0 win that puts them in 2nd place with 14 points (2 points behind Xolos). As for Pumas they tried finding the equalizer during the closing minutes of the game by having more players go up in offense, but that wasn't enough. The loss for Pumas puts them in 16th place with only 5 points.

América's next game is this upcoming Saturday at 5 and they'll take on Leones Negros at the Azteca Stadium.

RECAP: Toluca vs América

  Our Aguilas manage to hold on to 1st place as they managed to get out 'El Infierno' with a 2-2 tie with Oribe Peralta scoring a double. For the fans, the game's intensity appeared as a preview to what fans can expect to see in the liguilla within a couple of weeks.

(Imago 7)

  America started the first half by controlling the flow of the game by playing mostly from the midfield on into Toluca's area. They also took several opportunities by knocking on Toluca's door for a goal. Most of the shots came from Miguel Layún that were from outside the area. The offense was mostly guided through Sambueza who would help get the ball moving and create plays. Toluca didn't seem to have control on their half of the field which infuriated Cardozo to make him call up his subs to begin warming up for a potential 1st half sub.
  One of Toluca's chances at goal came in the 17th minute when they were given a corner kick. Though that was stopped as Muñoz came out to grab the ball and quickly put back into play by throwing it to Peralta. By passing the ball to Peralta, he begins the counter attack by taking the ball from América's box to the halfway line where he then passes it to Sambueza. Sambueza receives the ball, takes it along the sideline, and then gives a through ball at an angle where Peralta takes a one shot touch gets it past Talavera and into the back of the net.

(Imago 7)

  The game intensified in the 23rd minute as Sambueza was assisted out of the field after a suffering an injury. This gave Toluca an advantage of playing with an extra man until América got their sub in for Sambueza. With having an extra man Toluca began playing on América's side of the field and in the 25th minute Toluca was awarded with a penalty. Pablo Velázquez stepped up to take the PK for Toluca. Velázquez shot it to the right of the goal where Muñoz was able to dive to it, but unable to get a hand on it.

(Mexsport)

  The second half began and the game started sway more in Toluca's favor by the way they were playing. They had more control of the ball and began taking more shots at América's goal. The game fell into their full control when Brizuela played the ball into the area. He passed it to Lobos who gives it back to Brizuela to take a shot on goal. His is unable to get a proper foot on the ball and loses it, but it luckily appears at the feet of Velázquez who quickly strikes it in the net to give Toluca a 2-1 lead.

(Mexsport)

  Everything seemed to be going Toluca's way and it looked as if there would be a new leader of the Apertura tournament. During the last fifteen minutes the game went back and forth with both sides trying to find another goal. Toluca wanted to up their lead while América tried tying the game. América's tying goal could've came in the 87th minute where Paul Aguilar headed the ball towards Toluca's net. The goal seemed certain because Talavera was falling back and it looked impossible for him to put a hand on it, but with his great effort he was able to tap the ball out for a corner.
  Arroyo covers the corner kick and the ball gets scrambled around in the area. Toluca's defenders fail to clear the ball from the area and it rolls to Peralta's feet where he fixes himself and shots it a high angle to tie the game in the 88th minute of the game.
  After the goal the game continued for 5 more minutes until it the ref blew the final whistle at the 93rd minute. With the result of 2-2, América remains on top of the table with 31 points and Toluca sit second with 29 points.

(Mexsport)

PREVIEW: Toluca vs América

  

Today our first place Aguilas visit the Bombonera to take on Toluca who sit second on the league table. This game is an interesting one because the winner between the two can secure the number one spot for the liguilla. Currently América sit on top of the Aperura table with 30 points while Toluca are second with 28 points.
  This game serves as a good preparation for what both teams can expect to see in the liguilla. Toluca are coming back home from an away win at border when they defeated Xolos Tijuana 1-0. Though the week before that they suffered a loss at home by the hands of León losing 3-2.
  For América the last two games haven't gone their way. They tied last week against chivas in the Super Clásico and lost the week before that against Queretaro. If they wanna pick up their confidence and build momentum going into the liguilla, then it should start today.

  Today's kickoff is scheduled to be at 12:00pm Central Time and can be seen on Univisión.

¡Vamos América!

PREVIEW: Clásico Nacional

Just about 24 hours to go before the Clásico Nacional kicks off at the Azteca Stadium and here a some notes about how both teams come into place before the game on Saturday evening. Both teams are looking to get a win in hopes of bettering their standings in the league. For América's they sit at top of the table with 29 points and hope to finish off the Apertura regular season strong and go into the liguilla as Super Líder. For chivas they sit in second to last place with 11 points and are at the bottom of the percentage table fighting relegation.

Mohamed understands the pressure from the fans for losing the last two clásicos against Pumas and Cruz Azul. He realizes that those games are in the past, but knows that he can turn things around by winning the Clásico Nacional against chivas. He knows that it's an important game that means a lot to the fans and hopes to bring joy to them by winning on Saturday. Mohamed was asked if by beating chivas and adding fuel to their fire with relegation will bring additional joy? He simply said no, he made it clear that the only thing that him and the team are focused on are winning the clásico and staying on top of the league table. Guadalajara's issue doesn't really interest him because that's more their issue than América's.

The game is scheduled for Saturday November 1st at 6:00pm Central Time and can be seen on Univisión.

98th Anniversary

  On this day 98 years ago our great club was established. It was established after the joining of two clubs by the name of Récord and Colón. The date of their unification fell on Columbus Day which commemorates the discovery of America. So it was set forth on October 12th that the name of the team would be called Club América.
  It was after this that the club grew to become one of the best teams in Mexico and one of the best recognized teams in the world.

Important Facts and Dates

-October 12th 1916, the club is founded after the union of Récord and Colón.

-May 29th 1966, the Estadio Azteca opens. 

Domestic ChampionshipsAmateur Era: 1924-1925, 1925-1926, 1926-1927, 1927-1928
Professional Era: 1965-1966, 1970-1971, 1975-1976, 1983-1984, 1984-1985, Prode 1985, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, Verano 2002, Clausura 2005, Clausura 2013

International Championships6 CONCACAF Championships: 1977, 1987, 1990, 1992, 2001, 2006
2 Copa Interamericanas: 1978, 1991

2006 FIFA Club World Cup 4th Place

(Americanografico)

PREVIEW: 'Chucho' Benítez Tribute

  A lot of domestic leagues around the world including Liga MX are taking a break this weekend due to FIFA's international friendlies. Fortunately for us Americanistas we are going to be able to see club action as our club faces Santos Laguna. The game is scheduled to be played at the Estadio Azteca at 5:00pm CT. Fans can catch the game on realtime through www.RojaDirecta.com or wait to see the replay at 8:00pm CT on Univisión Deportes.

  The game is honor of the late striker Christian 'Chucho' Benítez who passed away last summer in Qatar. Chucho played a vital role for both clubs as a striker where he helped lead América to the 2013 Clausura Championship and Santos to their 2008 Clausura Championship. Aside from winning two Clausura Championships, he also won four Liga MX's Golden Boots. One of them was from the 2010 Apertura season with Santos and the last three were a three peat with América (2012 Clausura, 2012 Apertura, and 2013 Clausura).

  América's head directors are hoping for a good turnout today as they set the tickets to a reasonable price and the proceeds will go to Chucho's family.