Las Aguilas’ FIFA Club World Cup run is over, although the third place game will be played on Sunday. With this distraction out of the way, América can get back to the task at hand: winning the Liga MX title. A championship to cap off their centennial season would be a dream come true for players and fans alike. We already looked at how Tigres could win, so now it’s time for the other side of the coin. Here are five reasons América can beat Tigres and take home the crown.
They know how to win. Twice in recent years Tigres have fallen to América in a final, and they’ve won 4 titles (2 LMX, 2 CCL) in the past 4 years. These players are going in with the mindset that they can win; they’ve done it before, after all.
The defense has turned it up. The narrative for América this season was that they were a glass cannon, having the 3rd most potent offense, but conceding more than any team in the top 11. In the playoffs, América has conceded just 2 goals in 4 games. They’ve patched up their biggest weakness thus far, and if they keep it up in the finals Tigres are in big trouble.
Just enough downtime. Las Aguilas have been in the Club World Cup over the past week, and thus got some valuable competitive games in while Tigres waited around and lost their flow. The team will still have enough time off to be fully rested for the first leg, so the schedule ultimately works out perfect for América.
They haven’t lost in months. In league play, América haven’t dropped a game since September 17th. That’s 12 matches and counting without losing. If Tigres want to win it looks like their best bet is to force a shootout, because América just refuse to lose.
Its América. Sounds like a lame reason, I know. But it’s the truth. Las Aguilas are the rulers of Liga MX, of course they can win. This team finds ways to win even when they have no business doing so. Whether its an absurd comeback, or winning with 10 men, they never go down easily. América are never done until the final whistle has blown, and if you don’t believe me, just ask Cruz Azul, Montreal, Herediano, or any of their other victims.
