Club America vs. Pumas UNAM: TV channel, live stream, team news & match preview

Jon Arnold

Club America vs. Pumas UNAM: TV channel, live stream, team news & match preview image

Club America wasted no time in making sure these playoffs would be different.

After four scoreless matches in the Apertura playoffs, America opened the scoring in the first minute of Thursday's first leg against Pumas, with Mateus Uribe nodding a goal home.

Uribe would add to his total and Jeremy Menez added a pair of goals from the penalty spot as America eased to a win at the CU.

Now back home at the Estadio Azteca, Las Aguilas must finish off a Pumas team frustrated but still holding out hope for a dramatic comeback and a place in the semifinals.

Game America vs. Pumas
Date Saturday, May 5
Time 8 p.m. ET
Stream (US only) fuboTV (7-day free trial)

TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch


Abraham Gonzalez Pumas

Watch America vs. Pumas live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

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Squads & Team News


Position America players
Goalkeepers Jimenez, Leon, Marchesin, Pineda
Defenders Aguilar, Aguilera, Alvarez, Cedillo, Orrantia, Valdez, Vargas
Midfielders Arce, Corona, Cordova, Cruz, Da Silva, Ibarra, Rodríguez, Uribe, Zamora
Forwards Diaz, Dominguez, Ibarguen, Lainez, Marin, Martin, Menez, Peralta

Center back Emanuel Aguilera remains out with a sprained ankle suffered on the final weekend of the season. Paraguayan duo Cecilio Dominguez and Bruno Valdez were involved in a car accident Thursday but were unharmed.

Potential starting XI: Marchesin; Aguilar, Alvarez, Valdez, Vargas; Uribe, Rodriguez; Ibarra, Menez, Dominguez; Peralta

Position Pumas players
Goalkeepers Saldivar, Magana, Castillo
Defenders Van Rankin, Arribas, Quintana, Mendoza, Fuentes, Garcia, Jaquez, Gonzalez
Midfielders Escamilla, Cabrera, Gonzalez, Jurado, Zamudio, Gallardo, Diaz, Calderon, Formica
Forwards Barrera, Guerron, Alustiza, Figueroa, Asprilla, Acosta, Castillo, Torres

Pumas may make changes not because of injury or suspension but because of the adverse result in the first leg. 

Potential starting XI: Saldivar; Mozo, Arribas, Quintana, Fuentes; Barrera, Diaz, Cabrera, Gallardo; Alustiza; Castillo


Betting & Match Odds


The bookmakers like America to get the win, with dabblebet pricing a home victory at 4/5 while a draw is available at 13/5 and Pumas are 3/1 to win.

Click here to see all of dabblebet's offers for the Liga MX playoffs.


Game Preview


Mateus Uribe

Things should be mostly academic for Club America in this one. With four away goals thanks to a 4-1 stomping of Mexico City rival Pumas on Wednesday, Las Aguilas have an enormous advantage going into Saturday's second leg.

Mateus Uribe starred in the first leg with Jeremy Menez's return from injury also serving as a big boost for Club America.

Miguel Herrera's men, of course, can't simply focus on the semifinals just yet. Pumas were frustrated after the match, as evidenced by Alejandro Arribas flipping off his own supporters (who were launching profane attacks on the players they claim to support).

But several players, including Arribas and Marcelo Diaz said they're still confident they can get a result. With America having four away goals and the second tiebreaker as well, thanks to a better regular season finish, Pumas would need to win by four in any reasonably likely scenario.

That could spell trouble. While Nicolas Castillo scored from the spot in the first leg, the Chilean forward didn't get the support he needs from wide players Jesus Gallardo and Pablo Barrera, nor was second striker Matias Alustiza as involved as he needs to be with Guido Rodriguez marking him out of the match.

Pumas manager David Patino has had a roller coaster of a season, but unless he's able to dream up a magical game plan, the ride is over for Pumas.

Jon Arnold

Jon Arnold Photo

Jon Arnold covered the Mexico national team and Concacaf region in English for Goal until March 2020. His byline also has appeared in the Dallas Morning News, the New York Times Goal blog, FloFC and Pacific Standard. In addition to his written work, he serves as the Concacaf expert on the BBC's World Football Phone-In and has appeared on SiriusXMFC in English and Fox Deportes and Milenio in Spanish. Formerly based in Tijuana and currently living in Texas, Jon covered the 2018 World Cup, the 2015 Copa America, the 2016 Copa America Centenario and the last five Gold Cups.