América de Cali vs Santa Fe: Jean Fernandes handed debut as Pascual Guerrero marks 99th anniversary
América de Cali welcomes Independiente Santa Fe to the Pascual Guerrero on Friday, February 13, 2026 (ET) in a sixth-round Liga BetPlay fixture that doubles as the Escarlatas' 99th-anniversary celebration. Coach David González has opted to start new signing Jean Fernandes in goal, while Santa Fe arrive unbeaten under the new manager.
Fernandes earns start for a high-profile debut
David González confirmed that Jean Fernandes will be the starting goalkeeper for América. The 30-year-old Brazilian, who stands 1. 87 m tall and joined the club last month, will make his Colombian debut after a career that includes spells at several major South American clubs. The coaching staff stressed that Fernandes' selection was a decision made before recent criticism of fellow keeper Jorge Soto, but the move nonetheless hands Fernandes a timely opportunity to stake his claim.
Career path and recent form
Fernandes arrives with a varied résumé: he made his professional debut in 2015 with Bahia, played 76 matches there, moved on to Sao Paulo where he featured in 19 games, and later spent time at Atlético Goianiense. His most prolonged stint came with Cerro Porteño in Paraguay, where he accumulated more than 160 appearances and won a domestic title. He had been a free agent since leaving that club in mid-2025 before signing with América de Cali.
Match atmosphere, weather and early action
The Pascual Guerrero is set for a festive crowd given the club's anniversary, though early match reports show a tight, goalless start. By the 22nd minute the score remained 0-0, with Santa Fe probing and América trying to impose its collective play. The city experienced a light drizzle ahead of kickoff and temperatures hovered near 20°C, conditions that could influence ball control and tempo.
Tactical setups and starting XIs
América lined up in a 4-4-2 for the clash: Jean Fernandes in goal; Mateo Castillo, Marlon Torres, Andrés Mosquera and Ómar Bertel across the back; Dylan Borrero, Rafael Carrascal, José Cavadía and Tilman Palacios in midfield; Yeison Guzmán and Jan Lucumí up front. Santa Fe countered with a 4-3-3: Andrés Mosquera Marmolejo; Helibelton Palacios, Emmanuel Olivera, Víctor Moreno and Christian Mafla; Ewil Murillo, Daniel Torres and Yílmar Velásquez; Luis Palacios, Omar Fernández and Hugo Rodallega.
The referee appointed for the match is Carlos Márquez, with Miguel Roldán and Julio Hoyos as his assistants. Leonard Mosquera is on VAR duty. Expect a measured tactical battle: América looking to capitalize on home support and anniversary energy, Santa Fe seeking to extend an unbeaten run under their manager and rely on defensive organization.
Key storylines to follow
Several narratives will shape the remainder of the evening. First, Fernandes' debut will be under immediate scrutiny: how he commands his area, deals with crosses, and communicates with a back four that has seen changes in recent windows. Second, Jorge Soto's position at the club will be a subplot regardless of the outcome, given the timing of the goalkeeper switch. Third, Santa Fe's resilience under the current coach tests América's ability to create and convert chances; the visitors have been difficult to break down since the managerial change.
Finally, the anniversary atmosphere raises expectations inside the stadium — fans typically demand a performance befitting a centenary countdown. The match in Cali will offer an early indicator of both teams' momentum as the league settles into the opening weeks of the season.
