Club América will put its place at the top of the Liga MX standings on the line against Pachuca this Sunday at Estadio Banorte. But while the Águilas have three points in their sights, the biggest story of the night will be the return of Guillermo Ochoa, as the club prepares to honor one of its most iconic goalkeepers following his retirement from professional soccer.
The Apertura 2026 is approaching its decisive stretch, and Jornada 14 brings two teams heading in opposite directions. América wants to keep flying high before the playoffs, while Pachuca desperately needs a result to keep its postseason hopes alive.
There is also a familiar twist to this matchup. Guillermo Almada will face his former club, Pachuca, while the Hidalgo side will attempt to spoil the party in Mexico City. With goals, playoff implications and an emotional homecoming on the agenda, this is more than just another Sunday fixture.
Guillermo Ochoa returns to Estadio Banorte for a special tribute
Forget the standings for a moment. The emotional centerpiece of Sunday’s game will be Guillermo Ochoa’s return to the stadium where he made his name as one of Mexico’s most recognizable goalkeepers.
América will honor the former Mexico international through a campaign titled “Por S13mpre,” celebrating his legacy and the connection he built with the club’s supporters during two spells in Coapa, from 2004 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2022.
“There are stories that never end. Forever,” América posted on social media, sharing a message that Ochoa also published himself.
And the memories are certainly worth celebrating. Ochoa won the Clausura 2005 Liga MX title, the Campeón de Campeones trophy that same year and the 2006 CONCACAF Champions Cup with América. Over the years, he became one of the club’s most beloved figures and a familiar face for Mexican soccer fans around the world.
His return carries even more significance after he brought his professional career to a close following the 2026 World Cup, reaching his sixth World Cup call-up with Mexico.
According to TUDN, the tribute will include an institutional recognition and a gesture from the fans. Ochoa will not play in the match, however, as he is not registered for the Apertura 2026.
No gloves, no last-minute saves and no comeback between the posts. This time, Memo will get to enjoy the applause from the other side of the spotlight.
América looking to keep its foot on the gas
The Águilas enter the weekend in first place with 27 points from 12 matches, having recorded eight wins, three draws and just one defeat. Their recent form has made them one of the strongest contenders in the competition, and their attack has been doing plenty of talking.
América is coming off a commanding 5-2 victory over Atlas at Estadio Jalisco, with Miguel Borja, Erick Sánchez, Brian Rodríguez, Alejandro Zendejas and Kevin Álvarez all finding the net. That performance followed a 5-3 win over León, giving the capital side back-to-back victories and 10 goals across its last two games.
When América gets going in the final third, opposing defenses can quickly find themselves in trouble. The combination of pace out wide, attacking movement and multiple scoring threats has helped the team maintain its grip on the top spot.
Now, the challenge is to keep that momentum at home. A victory over Pachuca would strengthen América’s position heading into the final stretch of the regular season and bring it closer to securing a favorable route into the playoffs.
There is also the matter of Almada facing his former employers. The América coach knows the Tuzos well, but familiarity does not automatically guarantee an easy afternoon.
América’s last Liga MX results
- América 5-2 Atlas: A dominant attacking display on the road.
- América 5-3 León: Another goal-filled victory to build momentum.
Pachuca running out of time
Pachuca arrives in the capital with considerably less room to breathe. The Tuzos sit 16th with 13 points and are coming off consecutive defeats against Monterrey and Cruz Azul, both ending 2-1.
For a club accustomed to competing near the top, the current situation is far from ideal. With the regular season nearing its conclusion, Pachuca needs to start collecting points rather than watching its postseason chances slip away.
Salomón Rondón remains the team’s main attacking reference and its best hope of making life uncomfortable for América’s defense. The Venezuelan striker has the experience and physical presence to trouble defenders, particularly if Pachuca can create opportunities in transition.
The problem is that scoring against América at Estadio Banorte is only half the job. The Tuzos must also find a way to contain an opponent that has scored freely in recent matches.
Their recent results tell the story of an inconsistent campaign, with dropped points and defensive lapses making it difficult to build momentum.
Pachuca’s last Liga MX results
- Pachuca 1-2 Cruz Azul: Another home defeat in the previous round.
- FC Juárez 0-1 Pachuca: A valuable away win, secured by a goal from Rondón.
The Tuzos need a response, and Sunday offers an opportunity to deliver one against the league leaders. Whether they can turn that urgency into a complete performance is another question entirely.
Match details
The Apertura 2026 Jornada 14 clash takes place on Sunday, October 25, at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City.
| Country | TV and streaming |
| United States | TUDN USA, TUDN.com, TUDN App and ViX |
Predicted lineups for América vs Pachuca
Both sides could stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, although the final starting XIs will depend on the coaches’ decisions before kickoff.
América predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)
Luis Ángel Malagón;
Dagoberto Espinoza, Santiago Bueno, Santiago Ramos Mingo, Franco Rossano;
Erick Sánchez, Israel Reyes;
Alejandro Zendejas, Carlos Álvarez, Brian Rodríguez;
Henry Martín.
Pachuca predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)
Carlos Moreno;
Carlos Sánchez, Jorge Berlanga, Sergio Barreto, Francisco Venegas;
Christian Rivera, Elías Montiel;
Kenedy, Alan Bautista, Oussama Idrissi;
Salomón Rondón.
América vs Pachuca: What to expect
América has the momentum, the home advantage and an attack that has been producing goals at an impressive rate. Pachuca, meanwhile, needs points and cannot afford another setback if it wants to keep its postseason hopes alive.
That makes the sporting stakes clear, but the evening belongs to Ochoa as much as it does to the teams on the pitch. The former goalkeeper returns to a stadium filled with memories, trophies and supporters who watched him grow into a club legend.
The Águilas will want to make the occasion even sweeter with another victory. Pachuca will have other ideas.
For América, the mission is to protect first place. For the Tuzos, it is to stop the slide. And for Memo, it is a chance to hear one more round of applause from the fans who helped make his story at Coapa unforgettable.
Alejandro Orellana is an accomplished sports journalist based in Mexico City, known for his incisive coverage of Club América and the Mexican National Team. A graduate of Journalism from Escuela de Periodismo Carlos Septien García, Alejandro brings a deep understanding of sports media to his work. His expertise extends to SEO and content creation, allowing him to produce engaging and discoverable sports narratives. He has contributed as a freelance writer for Goal.com, where he notably conducted interviews with MLS players, further showcasing his comprehensive interviewing skills. Prior to this, Alejandro dedicated five years to ESPN’s production department, contributing to renowned shows including SportsCenter, Futbol Picante, and NFL Live. His insightful articles can be found on platforms such as Deportrece and Hooligan Soccer. Connect with Alejandro on @soyalexorellana and Tik Tok to stay updated with his latest work. His commitment to journalistic integrity ensures every piece offers valuable and trustworthy insights for sports enthusiasts.
