Chivas Vs. America, 2012 Super Clasico: Will Ignacio Ambriz Throw His Teenagers Into The Fire?

Even though ‘Cubo’ Erick Torres is considered one of the best youngsters in the Mexican Primera, he’s no stranger to the big stage. At just 19-years-old, he’s been a first team regular for Chivas Guadalajara for the last two seasons and he made a massive splash with a goal in a Super Clasico, netting in Chivas’ 3-0 win over Club America last April. He’s likely to start the Clasico on Sunday, and no one will think anything of it. For his teenage star teammates, it’s a slightly different story.

Carlos Fierro and Giovanni Casillas have recently been integrated into Chivas’ first team and could make their first ever Clasico starts on Sunday. Fierro is just 17-years-old, and Casillas is just 18. They were the stars of Mexico’s Under-17 World Cup triumph this summer, but they have only recently become first team players for their club side.

Due to an injury to Jorge Enriquez and the poor form of both Jesus Sanchez and Omar Arellano, both Casillas and Fierro might get a call from Ignacio Ambriz on North American football’s largest stage on Sunday night. They rose to the occasion when they played in front of 100,000 people at Estadio Azteca, but this is a completely different animal.

In that case, almost every person in the stadium was rooting for them, and was supportive when they made mistakes. This won’t be the case in the Clasico, even if the game is in Guadalajara. In that game, they played against 16 and 17-year-old boys. On Sunday, they’ll be playing against grown men with years of professional experience.

Last year, Cubo made himself a hero with his goal as he rose to the occasion in the biggest game of his life. Casillas and Fierro might be given an opportunity to match his feat on Sunday night.

For more on the Super Clasico and all of Mexican football, head over to FMF State Of Mind. We’ll have coverage before, during, and after the game in our Chivas Vs. America, 2012 Super Clasico StoryStream.