Can Chivas finally overtake Club América in the Mexico Independence Weekend Clásico Nacional?

While TV ratings will be sky-high as usual, this edition of the Clásico Nacional will have a different feel. The Estadio Azteca currently is undergoing needed renovation ahead of the inaugural match of the 2026 World Cup. The Coloso de Santa Úrsula will host five matches of that summer’s showcase tournament, but the preparation has made Club América temporarily nomadic.

Despite the club’s popularity, fans haven’t flocked to the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes - also playing home to Cruz Azul at the moment - in huge numbers to see Las Aguilas at their temporary home. Still, tickets for the Clásico went on sale Thursday afternoon, with a sell-out expected for the marquee matchup.

Between a dearth of crowd support, injuries to key players in the squad, and the departure of winger Julian Quiñones to Saudi Arabia in the offseason, América looks much more like a team that will miss the Liguilla (the playoffs) than one that will defend its Liga MX crown for a second consecutive time and win a third straight title.

The struggling team currently sits 12th in the Liga MX Apertura table after seven matches played. The point was driven home just before the international break when Cruz Azul scored four consecutive goals and cruised to a 4-1 victory in the Clásico Joven, the ‘young rivalry’ named because it lacks the 80-plus year history of the Clásico Nacional, contested since 1943.

América winger and U.S. international Alejandro Zendejas returned to full training this week and should be available for manager Andre Jardine, but center-back Igor Lichnovsky is out for the season. 

While América limped into the FIFA window, Chivas went in on a roll, having won 5-0 against Juarez to extend a four-match undefeated run.

While manager Fernando Gago also is working through a few injury concerns, including legendary forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez dealing with a thigh problem, he’s seen big contributions from wide attackers Cade Cowell, a U.S. international, and Mexico international Roberto Alvarado. Plus, 21-year-old Armando Gonzalez has chipped in with three goals, a big return from a player who had played fewer than 30 Liga MX minutes prior to this tournament.

All of this serves as a big factor in the macro-narrative that is this rivalry, as both teams and their supporters push to earn bragging rights. América’s poor form gives Chivas hope it can get a win for the first time in four meetings. But even that victory wasn’t satisfying as Chivas ultimately lost in a two-leg encounter in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Chivas tried to rally from a 3-0 first-leg defeat to América and secured a 3-2 win in the second leg, but the aggregate score meant America would advance in the CCC.

Throw out that game and it hasn’t been since May 2023, when Chivas eliminated América from the playoffs with a 3-1 win, where Rojiblancos could throw something in the faces of their biggest rivals. An América win would be yet another piece of evidence that they’re the team to beat right now in the rivalry, if not in the entire country, even in this wounded state.

No matter what happens, the country will be watching, 

Twelfth-placed América host sixth-placed Chivas Saturday night in Mexico City at 8:50 p.m. ET.