Chivas vs América: Lineups for the Clásico Nacional
Chivas and América meet in the Clásico Nacional on Saturday, February 14, 2026, with kickoff set for 10: 07 PM ET at Estadio Akron. Guadalajara arrives unbeaten and top of the Clausura standings, while América looks to climb after a mixed start to the campaign.
Starting XIs and formations
Guadalajara will field a familiar-looking setup aimed at preserving possession and pressing high. The chosen eleven:
- Goalkeeper: Raúl Rangel
- Defenders: Diego Campillo, José Castillo, Daniel Aguirre, Bryan González
- Midfield: Richard Ledezma, Omar Govea, Rubén González
- Attack: Efraín Álvarez, Roberto Alvarado, Armando González
América counters with a lineup built for balance between defensive solidity and transitional speed:
- Goalkeeper: Luis Malagón
- Defenders: Sebastián Cáceres, Israel Reyes, Cristian Borja, Kevin Álvarez
- Midfield: Rodrigo Dourado, Jonathan Dos Santos, Isaías Violante
- Attack: Víctor Dávila, Brian Rodríguez, Henry Martín
What's at stake and early match context
Chivas sit atop the table with a perfect record through five rounds, having collected 15 points with a +6 goal difference. The side's confidence comes from steady recent performances, including a 2-1 win over Mazatlán in their last domestic outing. Maintaining the unbeaten run would strengthen their grip on the title race and send a clear message to the rest of the league.
América began the Clausura inconsistently and occupies the midtable mix, with eight points from two wins, two draws and a defeat. The squad picked up momentum this week after securing progression in continental competition, advancing to the knockout phase of the continental cup by eliminating Olimpia. A victory in the Clásico would be a major psychological boost and could help the team climb the standings quickly.
Key talking points before kickoff
Match control: Chivas will aim to dominate possession and use their midfield triangle to create overloads on the flanks. Expect heavy rotation between Efraín Álvarez and Roberto Alvarado to generate chances for Armando González through the middle.
Defensive matchups: América's central pairing must be alert to quick combinations in the final third. The balance provided by Rodrigo Dourado and Jonathan Dos Santos will be crucial to interrupting transitions and supplying the attack for counter opportunities.
Early moments to watch: An early chance for the hosts was spurned when a forward sent a promising opportunity over the bar, a miss that underlines how fine margins will matter in a fixture known for intensity. Set-piece efficiency and composure in the final third could decide the outcome.
Form and fitness: Both coaches must weigh the demands of domestic and continental schedules. Rotations in the fullback slots and midfield could influence tempo late in the match, making bench impact another potential deciding factor.
The Clásico Nacional kicks off at 10: 07 PM ET on Saturday. With pride, league position and momentum on the line, the fixture promises a high-stakes night at the Akron stadium.
