At GOAL, the focus is on the moments when Las Águilas finished as the regular season leaders and how they fared in the Liguilla for the title.
America stood out as the super leader of the Opening 2023 in Liga MX, gathering 39 points up to this point. After a rocky start to the campaign, the squad was guided by coach André Jardine. They learned to rebound from difficult results and even surpassed some notable records, including nine consecutive wins. That streak gave Las Águilas a nine-point advantage in short tournaments, a statistic no other club in Mexico could claim.
Mexican football is unique because of the Liguilla format, which often prevents the season’s top finisher from clinching the championship. For this reason, there is talk of a curse for teams that lead the table, even as they enjoy advantages in the playoff rounds where clubs that finished outside the top positions have captured the title in the end.
With the major Mexican football festival approaching, GOAL breaks down the times America led the standings and how far they progressed in the postseason.
HOW DID AMERICA START AS THE LEADER OF THE LEAGUE?
As noted, the Azulcremas hold the record for the most times finishing atop Liga MX across nine different openings. Yet the club has only claimed the championship on one occasion with that leadership. The question remains whether the team from Coapa can break the spell during the Apertura 2023 season and emerge as champions.
- Opening 2023 – to be determined
- Apertura 2022 – semifinalists
- Apertura 2021 – quarterfinals
- Opening 2014 – CHAMPION
- Opening 2013 – finalist
- Apertura 2005 – quarterfinals
- Apertura 2002 – quarterfinals
- Summer 2001 – semifinal
- Summer 1997 – quarterfinals