America Marks 110 Years by Hosting Rayados, the Team That Has Haunted It in Recent Clasicos

Some matches arrive circled in red on the calendar, and this is one of them. Estadio Banorte is dressing up for the occasion because America is marking 110 years of history, and the club decided to celebrate by hosting none other than Rayados de Monterrey in a match corresponding to Matchday 11 of the Apertura 2026, just as the league gets back underway following the FIFA break.

The Eagles have been trending upward this season under Guillermo Almada, but there is a thorn still stuck in their side: in the biggest games, they have not been able to hold their level. They fell in both the Clasico Joven and the Clasico Nacional, two stumbles that still sting and that make this anniversary the perfect chance to make amends against one of the teams that has given them the most trouble lately.

Because if there is one opponent that has become a thorn in America's side, it is precisely Monterrey. The numbers from their recent meetings back it up: from the last Leagues Cup, where Rayados advanced on penalties after a thrilling 6-7 shootout, to the Liguilla clashes of the previous Apertura, the series has been full of drama and tight results.

On the Monterrey side, the motivation has a name: ending a winless streak that is starting to become a real concern. And there is an added layer of spice that has stirred things up ahead of kickoff. Matias Almeyda downplayed this match as a measuring stick for his team's level, a comment that did not go unnoticed in America's camp.

Playing against America isn't the benchmark for measuring how my team is performingMatias Almeyda

Last-minute reinforcements

Both coaches get key pieces back for this match. America has Luis Angel Malagon available again, along with the players who were called up for international duty, while Rayados breathes easier with the return of Lucas Ocampos, which allows Almeyda to field nearly his entire available squad.

The probable lineups point to an America side with Malagon in goal, Santiago Ramos, Israel Reyes, Emilio Lara and Cristian Borja across the back, Alan Cervantes and Erick Sanchez in midfield, Brian Rodriguez and Alejandro Zendejas on the wings, and the attacking duo of Miguel Borja and Henry Martin. For the Monterrey side, Luis Cardenas in goal, Victor Guzman, Carlos Salcedo, Gerardo Arteaga and Stefan Medina on defense, Cesar Garza and Olvier Torres through the middle, Lucas Ocampos and Diego Rossi creating chances, with Hugo Cuypers and Jesus Corona up top.

How do they stand in the table? The Eagles are coming off a rout of Necaxa on the road in Matchday 10 and sit in second place with 20 points, tied with league leaders Toluca. Monterrey, on the other hand, is going through a tougher stretch, sitting tenth with 13 points, which explains Almeyda's urgency to find the win that has eluded his team.

The match is set for Saturday, October 10, at 9:10 pm Mexico City time (10:10 pm in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, 11:10 pm Eastern time, 12:10 am in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile), with Estadio Banorte hosting a celebration that promises a bit of everything: history, rivalry and a pressing need for points.