For those who followed Liga MX before Major League Soccer even existed there is no other team that evokes a visceral reaction, whether for or against, like Club América does. It probably started in the 1987-1988 Liga MX semifinal when Club América and Morelia met with a trip to the championship on the line. After a 2-2 first leg tie, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. In extra time, Ricardo Campos put Morelia ahead, while Alfredo Tena tied the score again.

What happened after stemmed from the fact that Morelia believed they would advance to the final thanks to the away goal scored by Campos. Morelia head coach and five-time World Cup goalkeeper for El Tri, Antonio “Tota” Carbajal, led his players back to the locker room as they celebrated, believing they had won and advanced to the final. Many of them already showered only to be informed in the locker room that the away-goal tiebreaker was no longer valid in extra time.

The reaction was immediate and they did not want to return to the pitch even with Morelia’s president, Nicandro Ortiz, backing his players from going out to play the penalty shootout. It took the governor of Michoacán, Martínez Villicaña, to apply pressure so the match could be completed and get the Morelia players to return to the field. To no one’s surprise, Club América won the penalty kick shootout and proceeded to win the Liga MX title over Pumas UNAM.

Ever since then, some would argue before, there have been two camps for Liga MX fans: one where every championship won by Club América is fair and square, and the other where every trophy they lift is marred by something underhanded or through some sort of favoritism. Based on the balance of the calls that have gone in its favor versus against, particularly in the post-season (liguilla), you can decide for yourselves which camp you want to belong to. One thing is for certain though, when Club América is on the pitch the one thing you won’t be is indifferent.

The San Diego FC vs. Club América match is on Saturday, June 7 at Snapdragon Stadium.

(Photo by David Frerker)