América Faces Monterrey in 110th Anniversary Celebration

Club América began its 110th anniversary celebrations with a Liga MX Apertura 2026 matchup against Monterrey on Saturday, October 10, at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. Guillermo Almada's side entered the 11th round in second place with 20 points, seeking to challenge Toluca for the lead while facing the team that eliminated América twice in less than a year.

According to the standings reported by Sports Illustrated México and La Voz Arizona, América had six wins, two draws and one loss from nine league matches, with 21 goals scored and 10 conceded. Toluca also had 20 points but had played 10 matches. Monterrey sat 10th with 13 points and remained outside the top eight playoff positions.

The fixture carried additional significance because América was approaching the anniversary of its founding on October 12, 1916. The club also had an opportunity to respond to two painful postseason defeats against Monterrey, first in the Apertura 2025 quarterfinals and again in the Leagues Cup 2026 semifinals.

América forward Henry Martín emphasized the club's expectations ahead of the match. "We are forbidden to lose; the boss has said so," Martín said, according to Sports Illustrated México.

Monterrey eliminated América in the Apertura 2025 quarterfinals when Germán Berterame scored a 93rd-minute header despite Rayados playing with 10 men. In September 2026, the teams drew 2-2 in the Leagues Cup semifinals before Monterrey advanced with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory.

Reflecting on the second elimination, Martín said América had come close to advancing. "We were left with that lingering feeling that we could have won it," he said, as reported by Sports Illustrated México.

América entered the contest after recovering from two deficits to defeat Necaxa 4-2 in its previous league match. Martín scored three goals, while Miguel Borja added another. Monterrey suffered a 4-2 defeat against Atlante at Estadio Banorte and had won only one of its previous five league matches, according to Sports Illustrated México.

América also expected to benefit from the return of several players after injuries and international duty. Israel Reyes, Dagoberto Espinoza and Isaías Violante returned from Mexico's national team without injuries, while Brian Rodríguez returned from Uruguay and Óscar Perea from Colombia. Alan Cervantes and Raphael Veiga had also recovered from physical problems.

Almada had his entire squad available for the first time in the tournament, according to Sports Illustrated México. New signings Santiago Bueno and Santiago Ramos Mingo had played in friendlies during the international break and were potential candidates to make their Liga MX debuts. Goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón had also returned, leaving Almada to decide whether to restore him to the starting lineup or retain Rodolfo Cota.

Monterrey recovered Lucas Ocampos, who had scored the penalty that forced the shootout in the September semifinal. Stefan Medina remained unavailable because of an injury.

Monterrey coach Matías Almeyda played down the idea that América would serve as a benchmark for evaluating his team's progress. "I don't use América to determine where we are," Almeyda said Thursday, according to Sports Illustrated México.

Borja responded the following day, saying he respected Monterrey while welcoming Almeyda's assessment. "It's better that he speaks that way. If he says it and sees it that way, we'll see tomorrow," the Colombian forward said, according to Sports Illustrated México.

The match was scheduled for 9:10 p.m. Mexico City time on October 10, according to La Voz Arizona. The publication listed Univision, TUDN and ViX as viewing options in the United States, while viewers in Mexico could watch through Canal 5, TUDN and ViX.