An outstanding edition of the Liga MX ‘Superclasico’ will take place when Chivas of Guadalajara and Club America square-off in the quarterfinals of the Clausura 2016. Chivas was undefeated in their last seven league games which pushed them all the way into 5th place; meanwhile, the ‘aguilas’ only earned 2 of their last 12 possible which dropped them in the last week from 2nd into 4th place. With these results, Chivas and America will give us another playoffs edition of the greatest rivalry in Mexico on Thursday, May 12 and on Sunday, May 15.
Next is a quick ‘liguilla’ history of this rivalry since the formation of the ‘Torneos Cortos’:
The ‘rebaño sagrado’ and ‘azulcremas’ have faced each other a total of four times in ‘torneos cortos’. Its first edition was in the quarterfinals of the Invierno 2007 in which America won both legs; 3-1 at the Estadio Jalisco, and 1-0 at the Estadio Azteca. The ‘aguilas’ would be defeated by Leon in the semifinals (who by the way lost in the final against Cruz Azul in what was the last ‘cementero title!).
The second edition of this ‘clasico nacional’ was in the Invierno 1999 quarterfinals. This series was a close contest which America also won after tying 0-0 in the first leg and winning 1-0 in the second leg. The ‘aguilas’ would lose again in the semifinals, this time against Cruz Azul who lost the final against Pachuca.
The third edition of this rivalry took place seven years later and in favor of Chivas at the Apertura 2006 semifinals. Those Chivas were in the Adolfo ‘Bofo’ Bautista years which with the help of players like Oswaldo Sanchez and Ramon Morales, plus the guidance of coach Jose Manuel de la Torre allowed the ‘chiverio’ to defeat America 2-0 in the aggregate score. Chivas would defeat Toluca 3-2 in what was their last Mexican league championship.
The fourth and final edition took place the following season during the Clausura 2007 semifinals. That time America defeated Chivas 2-0 in the aggregate but would later lose to Pachuca in the final.
This Thursday will mark the fifth edition these rivals meet during the ‘torneos cortos’ and the series are expected to be very energetic and entertaining. Both sides enter the playoffs in great form, and both are considered good candidates to reach the final.
