Atlético Nacional and América de Cali to Play Miami Friendly to Raise Funds for Colombia Earthquake Relief

A friendly with a cause. That's what Atlético Nacional and América de Cali will have this Saturday right in the middle of an official soccer weekend, with a goal that goes well beyond the result: raising funds to help rebuild Colombia after the recent earthquake that struck the country.

The match will be played on Saturday, September 5, at 6:30 p.m. Colombia time, at Chase Stadium in Miami, with exclusive coverage on Disney+ Premium. This is no ordinary matchup: these are the two teams leading the way in the Finalización, Colombia's second-half tournament, and they arrive at this game in very different spots in the standings. América sits unbeaten at the top with 17 points in the league, while Nacional trails close behind with 12 points through 5 matches.

What stands out is the timing of this trip. The Verde has a Copa BetPlay match the following Monday against Deportivo Cali, and even so, Lucas González decided not to hold anyone back: he called up 20 players, including several regular starters, to cross the continent for Miami. That decision leaves an obvious question hanging in the air, the same one that comes up whenever a squad travels for a friendly in the middle of the season: how much physical wear and tear will be left over for the official schedule that follows?

Nacional's Call-Ups

González's list combines experience and heavyweight names at every position. In goal will be Marquínez and Armani; on defense, the traveling group includes Haydar, Casco, Reyes, Román, González and Velásquez; the midfield features Cardona, Rengifo, Zapata, Marín, Uribe and Rojas; and up front will be Arango, Morelos, Sarmiento, Rosa, Poveda and Moreno.

With that group heading north, it's clear this is no simple preseason formality or minor outing for Nacional: it's a serious call-up, meant to represent the club on a stage that blends competition with solidarity. The sight of two traditional Colombian soccer rivals sharing a field outside the country, with the goal of helping areas hit by the earthquake, gives this friendly a weight that sets it apart from any other exhibition match.