Club America Vs. Chivas Guadalajara, 2011 Super Clasico: Goats Win 3-1 Over Ten Man Super Aguilas To Go Top

Club America needed a win over Chivas Guadalajara in the 2011 Super Clasico and started the match playing like a team intent on doing so, but things never went well for the Super Aguilas at any point in the match. They trailed after just six minutes and were always playing catch-up from then on, eventually leading to their defeat by a final score of 3-1.

Antonio Gallardo scored the opener, heading in a cross by Marco Fabian after just six minutes. ‘Chucho’ Cristian Benitez equalized quickly for America with a header on a Daniel Montenegro free kick in the 13th minute, but that would be the closest America would get to being involved in the game.

Club America are already down by two goals in the Super Clasico, but they’ll have to play the final 30 minutes against Chivas Guadalajara with ten men. Central midfielder Rosinei has been sent off for a foul on Jesus Sanchez, and it’s fair to say that the decision was harsh on the Brazilian. He definitely fouled Sanchez and his tackle was a bit high, but his studs were not showing and it was not a dangerous challenge that had any serious possibility of injuring Sanchez. A foul for sure, but a yellow at most.

America were already struggling, but they’re really going to have to dig deep to find two goals now. And, in all honesty, a draw still keeps them well outside of the Liguilla race. They need three goals in 30 minutes to feel like they have a good chance at making the playoffs.

‘Chucho’ Cristian Benitez scored Club America’s only goal in the first half of the Super Clasico, but he admittedly didn’t have too much of an impact from open play. So, he’s been substituted, with striker Matias Vuoso coming into the game in a like for like substitution. Vuoso is also a smaller, but strong striker who is well known for his nose for goal and finishing touch.

However, he is not well known for his work rate and fitness. We’re five minutes into the second half, and the Chivas Guadalajara defense is already out-working him significantly. Vuoso looks tired...five minutes after coming into the game. Maybe the Super Aguilas wish they could get Chucho back onto the field? Matias Vuoso, ladies and gentlemen. Ay dios mio.

With their solid position in the Mexican Primera and their history of conservative play in rivalry matches, many tipped Chivas Guadalajara to play for a draw against Club America in the Super Clasico. Instead, they’ve come to Estadio Azteca to win, and they’re tearing apart the America defense. ‘Chucho’ Christian Benitez has a goal for the Super Aguilas, who cannot afford to lose this match, but Chivas have three and lead 3-1 at halftime.

Antonio Gallardo scored the opener just six minutes into the match, getting onto the end of a cross from Marco Fabian on a late run from midfield. Central defender Aquivaldo Mosquera failed to pick him up, leaving an easy header. Chucho found the equalizer quickly, though, heading in a Daniel Montenegro free kick in the 13th minute.

If you’re not watching the Super Clasico, turn it on now because this match is incredible. Chivas Guadalajara scored first, but then Club America answered. The match was back on level terms and all was good. Then Chivas decided “no, no, no. This isn’t happening.” With that in mind, Marco Fabian scored, then a minute later Erick ‘Cubo’ Torres added a goal of his own and Chivas are ahead 3-1 at the Azteca.

Fabian got his goal in the 18th minute, squeezing through to finish and put the Goats in front. The Chivas fans went wild, but it was only a warm up because before they even sat back down from their celebrating, Jose Enriquez whipped in a gorgeous cross from the right. It went across to the back post and Armando Navarrete should have come out to at least punch it, but he didn’t. That allowed Cubo to come flying in to finish with his head and double the Chivas lead.

Club America gave up a goal after just six minutes, but they’ve equalized on Chivas Guadalajara just as quickly, and we’re back to square one in what has been an absolutely thrilling match so far. The marking hasn’t been the greatest, but who needs marking?!? Marking isn’t fun. Goals are fun, and a goal is exactly what Ecuadorian star ‘Chucho’ Christian Benitez has provided, tying up the score at 1-1 after 13 minutes.

Daniel Montenegro picked up the assist on the goal, swinging in a great free kick from the right side of the pitch, around 25 yards away from goal. Chucho, all 5’7” of him, somehow rose above everyone to meet the ball at a high point and power it past Luis Michel. We’re level, and it would be stunning if the scoring was over.

After just six minutes of play, Chivas Guadalajara has a goal and leads Club America in the Super Clasico. America had all of the possession and was pushing high up the pitch in the opening minutes, so it shouldn’t be terribly surprising that they’ve been hit on the counter by the pace of Chivas. Erick Torres was playing relatively deep as a lone striker, which made it look like America weren’t going to be punished for their tactics, but they were hit down the wing for the goal without Torres being involved.

Marco Fabian, who scored a hat trick in a smaller clasico last week against Estudiantes Tecos, was the man who provided the assist. Drifting wide from his central attacking midfield position, Fabian flew down the right and delivered a bullet of a cross into the box. Gallardo arrived late from midfield and Aquivaldo Mosquera failed to pick up his run as the center mid dived for the ball and powered a header past Armando Navarrete, putting the visitors ahead 1-0.

The Super Clasico is underway from the Estadio Azteca, and unsurprisingly, Club America have started aggressively. America need a win to stay in contention for a playoff spot, and following Monterrey’s draw in the Clasico Regiomontano yesterday, they’ll be extremely close to that eighth spot if they can get three points at home. They’re pressing very aggressively and very high up the pitch in the early going, swarming Chivas when they get the ball. The Super Aguilas defense is pushing up, but ‘Cubo’ Erick Torres is playing deep and it doesn’t appear as if they’ll be punished for it early.

And after three minutes of play, Jesus Enrique Sanchez of Chivas Guadalajara is down after taking a forearm to the face from America central defender Aquivaldo Mosquera. It didn’t look intentional, but that seems like a good indicator of what kind of play we’re going to see in this game on 50-50 challenges.

Club America are languishing way down in the Mexican Primera table. They sit 16th, but they’re not as down and out as their place in the table might indicate. They have a match in hand over most teams, one they’re going to play in the Super Clasico this afternoon. If they can find three points against Chivas Guadalajara they’ll shoot up to 13th in the table, but more importantly, they will be just three points out of the final Liguilla spot. All is not done and dusted at Estadio Azteca. America are still alive.

As is always the case with America, they’ll be leaning heavily on Christian Benitez. The Ecuadorian will be alone up top today, although Daniel Montenegro will be playing just below him. Benitez can cause havoc for the Chivas back line with his ability to run in behind the defense. Most importantly, he attracts attention and can drag defenders with him, opening space for Montenegro and the rest of the team.

The 2011 Apertura edition of the Super Clasico is here, with Club America and Chivas Guadalajara kicking off at 5:00 pm ET at Estadio Azteca. There are expected to be nearly 100,000 people in attendance, and the home side are in serious need of a win to keep their Liguilla hopes alive. For the visitors, a draw will do, and their lineup is one that can go either way. Chivas have both gone with an all-out attack and sat back with the same personnel, so who knows what today holds. Here are the lineups.

Club America Lineup (4-3-1-2): Navarrete; Reyes, Valenzuela, Mosquera, Rojas; Jimenez, Rosinei, Molina; Montenegro; Benitez, Martinez

It’s the biggest match in Mexico. It’s Club America and Chivas Guadalajara in the Super Clasico. Estadio Azteca will be full and the buzz will be felt throughout Mexico City. For the first time in a while too, this match matters. It’s been for pride and bragging rights only lately, but not today. This one is going to affect the table as the Primera inches closer to the Liguilla. For America, they are desperate for three points as they look to make the Liguilla. They need a win and Kevin McCauley from FMF State of Mind thinks they can get it.

The Super Clasico is always a big one, but it’s extra huge today. It should be a thriller and the atmosphere will be incredible too. This is what we in the biz like to call “must see TV.”