Cruz Azul Meets Club America in Semifinal Showdown

Mexico City, Mexico – Cruz Azul will face Club America on May 15, 2025, in the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura semifinals. This electrifying derby, known as the Clásico Joven, comes after intense previous encounters, including a narrow defeat for Cruz Azul in the Apertura 2024.

The fierce rivalry escalates as the two teams meet again, with America defeating Cruz Azul 4-3 in their last playoff meeting. This time, Cruz Azul aims to flip the script, especially after having a recent victory in the Champions Cup against their archrivals.

Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 PM ET. Fans can tune in via DirecTV Stream and TUDN in the U.S. The teams enter this match with impressive form, with Cruz Azul unbeaten in their last 18 games and seeking redemption after last year’s playoff loss.

Cruz Azul’s attacking midfielder Andres Montaño will miss the game due to a torn ACL, adding pressure to the team, while center back Gonzalo Piovi is set to return from injury. Coach Vicente Sánchez is optimistic about his squad’s chances despite the setback.

On the other hand, Club America also comes off a strong performance, extending their playoff unbeaten streak to 17 games. Under coach André Jardine, America has been dominant in past matchups, but the absence of winger Brian Rodríguez could affect their offense.

The contest is expected to be fiercely competitive, with both teams knowing each other well. Past encounters in knockout rounds indicate close matchups, often resulting in low scores. This first leg will be critical for establishing an advantage heading into the second leg on May 18.

Both teams will need to capitalize on scoring opportunities, knowing that a tie might not suffice for Cruz Azul due to America’s higher seeding. As they prepare for this clash, the stakes couldn’t be higher for either squad.