Liga MX’s biggest rivalry will take the main stage at Akron Stadium in Mexico this Saturday, March 8 for El Clásico de México; Las Chivas de Guadalajara are going head to head with Club América.
As two of the most popular clubs in Mexico’s top professional soccer league, the teams have had a fierce rivalry fueled by passionate fan bases across North America. With chants of “Arriba las Chivas” and “Á-gui-las” echoing throughout the stadium, the atmosphere is sure to be intense.
El Clásico will be the second of three match-ups in the span of a week for the two teams.
Chivas and América previously played each other in a round-of-16 matchup for the Concacaf Champions Cup in Mexico on Wednesday, March 4. An own goal by América’s Sebastián Cáceres in the 77’ put Chivas up 1-nil. Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel kept a clean sheet and Chivas earned a win during its first leg of the cup series.
A brief rundown of both sides
Chivas are known for their long-standing tradition of having only Mexican players on their roster–a decision that is reinforced by their motto of the “Most Mexican Team.” The nationalist sentiment unites the fan base with their Mexican heritage. The club has had a packed week coming off a win against Liga MX’s Pumas on Saturday and new leadership changes.
Following the departure of Oscar Garcia, the front office named Gerardo Espinoza as the new head coach and Javier Mier as the sporting director. Espinoza is the fourth person to serve as the head coach in less than a year.
América is known as the most victorious and intimidating club with their motto “Odiame mas”, a reference to how the team’s dominance has cemented them as the villain of the league. América’s roster is one of the most expensive and their history of signing high price-tag players is funded by Televisa.
This year, América is looking to extend their title of Liga MX Champion for a fourth consecutive time. América currently sits second in the Clausura standings, nine points above Chivas. André Jardine’s squad is looking for redemption from their midweek defeat in the Champions Cup.
The club has scored the most goals and conceded the least in the league midway through the season, with a squad that has arguably one of the greatest depths. Since taking over as head coach in 2023, Jardine’s side has yet to lose a domestic knockout series, but they haven’t been able to lift the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Who to watch for:
América’s roster is filled with quality players including star attacker Henry Martin, but two of them have stuck out this season. USMNT’s Alejandro Zendejas and former Real Madrid academy player Alvaro Fidalgo have been the club’s star boys in recent matches.
The pair of 27-year-olds are two of the best players in Liga MX, each netting five goals in eight games played this season. Their effectiveness and playmaking arriving late from attacking midfield positions in the final third is going to be key in driving América’s attack. Las Águilas have the best defensive record in the competition, only having conceded seven goals across 10 games.
América has one of the strongest formations in the league, but Chivas is entering a rebuilding era. Alan Pulido is leading the line for Chivas, but Luis Romo and Roberto Alvarado will need to be in top shape if the team wants to take control of the scoreboard. Romo and Alvarado were the squad’s most advanced midfielders against Pumas last week.
Like every other Chivas-América matchup, this game is likely going down to the wire. Legend Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and USMNT’s Cade Cowell could be valuable options to bring off the bench and give Chivas a make-or-break goal later in the match. Chicharito scored the side’s only goal in their 3-1 loss against Atletico San Luis on Feb. 26.
El Clásico De México will be streamed on Telemundo, Univision and Peacock at 6:30 p.m. PST. Telemundo will kick-off the night with a pregame show at 6 p.m. PST.