A 2-1 win at home for las Aguilas del America over Pumas UNAM allowed the team to calm its fan base after the departure of Ignacio Ambriz. Ricardo La Volpe, who took over for Ambriz’s vacant coaching job, successfully began his tenure with a victory, but just four days later, America’s outlook for its centennial season dampened.
In America’s Copa MX matchup against Veracruz, Paul Aguilar tore his right ACL, an injury severe enough to put him out for at least six months. The loss of Aguilar deals America another obstacle to overcome in its less than stable condition. Without Aguilar, America loses their premier right back. On defense America has struggled throughout the season and without Aguilar, las Aguilas lose an agile and dynamic defender.
Currently America takes the fourth spot in the standings before it plays los Rayados de Monterrey Saturday night at Estadio BBVA Bancomer. Much like America, Monterrey has played inconsistently. Led by Antonio Mohamed, who left America on less than ideal terms, Monterrey could have a distinct advantage over America as much of the team Mohamed coached still plays for Las Aguilas.
Monterrey’s best form of attack comes in Rogelio Funes Mori, who records six goals for the season. Aguilar’s absence, along with the absence of Darwin Quintero, who has stayed on the sidelines because of a blood clot discovered in early September, places America with plenty of adversity to overcome. Against Pumas, America fired two goals in under 10 minutes and held onto to its lead for the remainder of the game. Before La Volpe took over, America struggled to hold onto leads and score in the first half as it did in its last six games. How America responds to their first game without Aguilar moves to be one the game’s focus points on Saturday.
LAST MEETING
Monterrey 4-2 America - May 21, 2016 - 2016 Clausura Liga MX Semifinals
Michael Arroyo stages a comeback with two stunning goals, but Edwin Cardona scored in the 87th minute to see Monterrey through to the final.
Match date/time: Saturday 8pm EST, 7pm local
Venue: Estadio BBVA Bancomer, Monterrey, Mexico
TV: Univision (US – Spanish), Univision Deportes Network (US – Spanish), SKY Planeta Fútbol (Mexico), TDN (Mexico), Canal de las Estrellas (Mexico), Sky HD (Mexico)
Streaming: fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)