Chivas Hasn't Lost to Queretaro at Akron Stadium in 12 Years

Twelve years. That's how long it has been since Queretaro last beat Chivas at Akron Stadium, and that streak is exactly what's on the line this Saturday when the Rebano host the Gallos Blancos in Matchday 10 of Liga MX.

This isn't just any streak. In fact, it's the longest active run Chivas holds against any of the other 17 teams in the league, trailing only its record against Atlante, a club that only just returned to the top flight this season and hasn't had time to build much recent history. So in practical terms, Queretaro is the oldest bogey team Chivas has managed to keep in check at home.

Keeping in check, though, doesn't mean blowing them out. Over these 12 years the two sides have met 11 times at Akron, and the record stands at four wins and seven draws for Chivas. Not a single loss, but no goal fest either. Over the years, Queretaro has become that awkward opponent who can't beat you but also won't let you walk away feeling comfortable.

What makes this weekend interesting is that the Queretaro side arriving now isn't like the Queretaro of recent seasons. They come into Guadalajara showing one of their best recent versions, which adds an extra layer to a matchup that, on paper, favors the home side.

The Last Time the Rebano Lost at Home

To find Chivas's last defeat to Queretaro at Akron, you have to go back to the Apertura 2014, in Matchday 9 of that tournament. The Rebano were going through a rough patch under Carlos Bustos, and on the other side was none other than Ronaldinho, who delivered one of those performances that stays in the memory. The Brazilian opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a penalty, coolly converted, on a play that also left Chivas down to ten men: the penalty was awarded for a handball by Carlos Salcido inside the box, who was sent off.

The rout came in the second half. Ronaldinho popped up again, this time with an assist, setting up Camilo Sanvezzo for the second goal. Then came two long range strikes, one from William Da Silva and another from Othoniel Arce. Giovanni Hernandez pulled one back for Chivas with a well struck free kick, but it was too late for a comeback.

That afternoon in 2014 remains the last time Queretaro left Akron with all three points, and ever since, the script has favored the Rebano, though usually through draws rather than wins.

A Chance for Milito

For Gabriel Milito's Chivas, this match comes at a good time to reconnect with a win in front of their own fans. The draw in the Clasico Nacional left a bit of a bitter taste among supporters, and picking up three points against Queretaro would not only help erase that feeling but also apply pressure near the top of the table after the first ten matchdays of the tournament.

It's worth noting that Queretaro isn't the only team Chivas has kept under control at Akron: both Pumas and Necaxa are also stuck in droughts as visitors there, with their last wins at the venue dating back to 2018. Still, given its length, the streak against the Gallos Blancos remains the most striking of them all.