Club América are preparing to face Puebla on Matchday 6 of the 2026 Apertura Tournament, with the club experiencing something of a fascinating institutional contrast.
On one hand, the Águilas are flying. They sit alone at the top of the Liga MX table with 13 points from a possible 15 and recently booked their place in the Leagues Cup semifinals after surviving a demanding clash with Columbus Crew at Dignity Health Sports Park. Their reward? Another trip to Los Angeles, where they will face Rayados de Monterrey on September 2 with a place in the final on the line.
AMÉRICA’S TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES
Behind the scenes, however, things are considerably less comfortable. Two of América’s key players, Sebastián Cáceres and Brian Rodríguez, have formal offers on the table to leave for European football, with Spain and the Netherlands respectively calling their names.
Celta Vigo and América reportedly failed to reach an agreement over Sebastián Cáceres on Friday, meaning the Uruguayan defender is now expected to remain in Coapa for at least one more tournament. Before the World Cup, Cáceres had already attracted interest from clubs in both the Premier League and Championship. For now, though, he remains fully committed to the Águilas.
Brian Rodríguez’s potential departure, meanwhile, appears considerably more realistic. Ajax have reportedly offered $14 million for the Uruguayan winger, while Rodríguez himself is keen on a return to Europe. Considering the player is enjoying an excellent spell with América, it is a tempting situation for everyone involved — although his career has arguably been one long roller coaster, so why stop now?
Rodríguez previously played for Almería before moving to LAFC, where he established himself as a standout performer and eventually earned his move to América. According to Transfermarkt, the 26-year-old is valued at $9.25 million, meaning Ajax’s proposal represents a fairly attractive deal for the Mexican giants.
In other words, América could potentially lose a star at the exact moment when everything is going suspiciously well.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE AND AMÉRICA’S UNBEATEN RUN
The Coapa side remain firmly at the top of the standings with 13 points from 15, thanks to four wins and one draw.
Guillermo Almada’s team are also riding an impressive 11-game unbeaten streak across Liga MX and the Leagues Cup, with seven wins and four draws during that stretch. Their defensive solidity has become one of the team’s defining characteristics, with América conceding just one goal over their last 294 minutes of action.
There is more good news on the injury front. Alejandro Zendejas has returned to full training with his teammates and could feature against Puebla.
Luis Ángel Malagón has also recovered from Achilles tendon surgery, although it remains uncertain whether the goalkeeper will be given any minutes this weekend.
Miguel Borja, América’s latest signing, is now officially registered and eligible to make his Liga MX debut. However, the Colombian has yet to train fully with the squad, making a debut this Saturday appear unlikely. Apparently, even América’s newest blockbuster signing needs a little time to catch his breath.
A MOTIVATED PUEBLA LOOKING TO BREAK THE CAPITAL CURSE
Puebla arrive in the capital sitting comfortably in the upper portion of the table with 10 points, level with Atlas, Chivas, Toluca and Xolos. The Camoteros are also riding high after consecutive victories in the league.
Unfortunately for Puebla, history has not exactly been kind to them whenever they visit Mexico City.
Their last victory in the capital came in the 2024 Apertura, while they have managed just two wins in Mexico City over the last 15 years. Overall, they have recorded only three away victories against América in the last 21 years.
So, statistically speaking, Puebla have picked an interesting weekend to challenge América.
Hooligan Pick: América 1-0 Puebla
The Águilas come into this match after playing Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals in midweek, a physically demanding encounter that required plenty of effort. With the semifinal against Rayados waiting for them back in Los Angeles on September 2, Almada could rotate his squad and give some of his key players a breather.
Because apparently, being Liga MX leaders, unbeaten in 11, alive in the Leagues Cup and potentially losing two stars to Europe at the same time wasn’t complicated enough.
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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.
