Liga MX at the break: Club America celebrates anniversary … whatever

Although Liga MX is on a break during the FIFA window, league-leading America was enjoying plenty of exposure.

As part of the 107th anniversary of the founding of the franchise (don’t ask me why the number 107 stirred up so much fascination), the sports daily “Record” and two of its columnists separately compiled all-time America teams.

For its part, “Record” conducted a fan survey while the newspaper’s director – Carlos Ponce de León – selected his own all-time team as did former Aguilas goalie Adrián Chávez (the ‘keeper won two league titles and two Champions Cups with “Los AzulCremas” as well as three Concacaf Champions Cups in the late 1980s-early 90s.

Up front, Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Zague made all three “rosters” while midfield studs Cristobal Ortega and Carlos Reinoso, as well as defender Alfredo Tena – the infamous “Capitán Furia” – were unanimous choices. Check out all three teams here.

America the Great (Bleah!)

As part of the observation of the Oct. 12 anniversary festivities, “Record” provided a run-down of America’s greatness with a fawning report on the club’s achievements (as if Aguilas-haters across Mexico need additional reasons to despise “Los millonetas”).

America has claimed more trophies than any other Liga MX team – 41. They boast the most league titles – 13 – and also have more Concacaf silverware than any club in North America, winning seven tournaments.

The Televisa-owned franchise is always among the most popular teams in Mexico and the same was proven back in May when Mitofsky released its annual soccer fan survey here.

In the poll published in May, America and Guadalajara were neck-and-neck as the most popular team, both receiving just under 20 percent of the votes. However, seven of the most-watched soccer games in Mexico during the 2022-23 seasons involved the Mexico City giants.

At the same time (and legitimizing my snide remark three paragraphs above), the Aguilas were found to be the most hated team in Mexico with 40 percent of respondents declaring that they do not like the arrogant yellow-bedecked birds.

So, let’s move on …

Aguilas looking for a temporary nest

With Estadio Azteca due for an 18-month face-lift ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Aguilas (and Cruz Azul) are making preparations for three seasons worth of “home games” beginning with the Apertura 2024 season.

While Cruz Azul appears set to return to their former haunt at the Ciudad de los Deportes (aka Estadio Azul), America is pondering a traveling road show.

Aguilas ownership is apparently negotiating with Toluca, Querétaro and Pachuca to rent out their stadiums for home games. Although some teams would be disinclined to help out the hated league-leaders, such a deal could be financially beneficial.

America regularly leads the league in attendance at away games (in many stadiums, their fans outnumber the host team’s supporters) so smart negotiations could earn a pretty peso for rival clubs.

Talks are still in an early stage, so nothing is written in stone as yet, but such a peripatetic arrangement could take a toll on Aguilas players (which would certainly please those America-haters among us).