Red Bull New York may be out of the MLS Cup Playoffs but a big fixture looms for them during the international break as Mexico’s biggest team, Club America, makes a visit to Sports Illustrated Stadium this Saturday. Many diehard fans and those that are from Latin America, are well aware of Club America but for those uninitiated here is some information on one of the biggest football clubs in the world.
WHO ARE CLUB AMERICA?
Started in 1916, the Mexico City-based club was founded by two teams comprised of college students named Record and Colon. The consolidation was meant to bring together the best players from each squad to compete in the Primera Fueza division, an amateur soccer competition during the time. Through the years, they succeeded in capturing trophies in the early professional leagues, winning titles between 1940 and 1969.
It was after the 1970 World Cup in Mexico that the Liga MX we know now came into existence. A competition between all the top professional clubs in Mexico where they would follow a regular season format with a playoff structure that has changed over the decades. Club America has found themselves one of the more successful teams in this format, winning 15 times since the current format came into being.
Along the way the club has also brought up some of the more famous Mexican players alongside rivals Chivas de Guadalajara. Players like Cuauhtemoc Blanco all the way to all-time Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Other international players like Antonio Carlos Santos, Luis Roberto Alves and Ivan Zamorano have graced the field at the Azteca Stadium.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Club America are in the midst of the Apertura, having played 16 games and currently sitting in second place in the standings. With one more game left in the season, this friendly could serve as motivation to push on and overtake Cruz Azul who sit just two points above. At the same time, they are level on points with Chivas who can still overtake them, leaving the club in a position where they face tougher opposition in the league playoffs.
Their best players will more than likely be with the Mexican National team during this window, leaving the task to reserve and younger players. Still, it is an opportunity to dazzle in front of New York and New Jersey fans who will certainly clamor to see one of the more famous teams in the world.
WHERE ARE RED BULL?
For Red Bull it is a bittersweet end to 2026. Head coach Michael Bradley’s first season ends with the club narrowly missing out on the MLS Cup Playoffs. While it is a disappointment, the development of Adri Mehmeti and Julian Hall stand as reasons for optimism among a jaded fanbase. While neither of those players will be available for Saturday, it is still a chance for many of the young players to shine against top competition that will definitely make SI Stadium a home away from home.
