The tension was palpable at the Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali on Friday night as América de Cali hosted Once Caldas for a pivotal Liga BetPlay Dimayor clash. With América languishing at the bottom of the table and their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the stakes couldn’t have been higher for the scarlet-clad squad desperate to snap an eight-match winless streak. The match, broadcast live on Win Sports +, marked not only a sporting contest but also a test of resilience for a club mired in crisis both on and off the pitch.
As kickoff approached, the atmosphere inside the stadium was markedly subdued. Only the western stand was open, a stark symbol of the ongoing protest by América’s fans against poor results and club management. Losses in ticket sales have surpassed 7 billion Colombian pesos, and even marquee matches against Atlético Nacional and Deportivo Cali saw empty stands—a clear sign of the widening rift between the team and its supporters.
Newly appointed head coach David González faced the daunting task of reigniting América’s campaign. González, who replaced Gabriel Raimondi after the club’s dismal run, was candid about the challenge ahead. "The objective is to win the 10 matches that remain and reach the semifinal quadrangulars," he declared before the match, setting an ambitious target that would require a dramatic turnaround in form.
González’s first major decision came in the form of lineup changes. Despite speculation about possible new faces in the starting eleven, the confirmed lineup featured Joel Graterol in goal, supported by Mateo Castillo, Daniel Bocanegra, Jean Pestaña, and Omar Bertel in defense. The midfield comprised Josen Escobar, Rafael Carrascal, Sebastián Navarro, and Cristian Barrios, while Rodrigo Holgado and Jan Lucumi led the attack. Notably, Daniel Bocanegra and Luis Ramos returned to the squad, providing much-needed experience and depth, while key absentees included Andrés Mosquera, Dylan Borrero, and Yojan Garcés.
Adding to the intrigue, América’s three recent signings—Nicolás Hernández, Andrés Roa, and Andrés Tello—were left out of the squad. Coach González addressed this in the pre-match press conference: "We are working on a slightly longer reconditioning process. Unfortunately, they are coming off a long period of inactivity and still struggle to reach a high match rhythm, which is why they were not included." The absence of these reinforcements underscored the urgency of finding solutions within the current roster.
Once Caldas, meanwhile, arrived in Cali buoyed by continental success. Just days earlier, the team had secured a 2-0 victory over Independiente del Valle in Quito in the Copa Sudamericana, with veteran striker Dayro Moreno netting both goals. Moreno’s scintillating form made him the player to watch, but coach Hernán Darío Herrera faced a dilemma: with a short turnaround and another crucial continental tie looming, he hinted at resting several starters, including Moreno himself.
The confirmed Once Caldas lineup reflected this cautious approach. Felipe Parra started in goal, with a backline of Efraín Navarro, Jorge Cardona, Jerson Malagón, and Juan Castaño—though Castaño was replaced by Luis Palacios after just 17 minutes due to what appeared to be a tactical adjustment or possible injury concern. The midfield featured Juan Díaz, Juan Camilo García, Andrés Ibargüen, and Esteban Beltrán, while Felipe Gomez and Jefry Zapata led the line. Moreno, the talismanic striker, began the match on the bench, ready to make an impact if called upon.
The early stages of the match saw América de Cali pressing aggressively, eager to capitalize on home advantage and assert themselves after weeks of frustration. Corners in the 17th, 22nd, 27th, and 35th minutes, taken by Jan Lucumi and Cristian Barrios, signaled their attacking intent, but the breakthrough proved elusive. Once Caldas, disciplined and compact, absorbed the pressure and looked to exploit América’s nerves on the counterattack.
For América, the stakes could hardly have been higher. With just 7 points from 10 matches heading into the fixture, the club sat rock bottom in 20th place. Their opponents, Once Caldas, occupied 12th spot with 13 points from 11 games, still outside the coveted top eight but with a far more encouraging recent run—two wins and two draws from their last four league outings. América, by contrast, had managed only one win in their previous five, a record that did little to inspire confidence among the faithful few in attendance.
The sense of urgency was mirrored in the stands—or rather, the lack thereof. The boycott by América’s fans was impossible to ignore, and the club’s management had opted to open only the western stand in an effort to concentrate the sparse support. The empty seats were a stark reminder of the disconnect that has plagued the club throughout the campaign.
Despite the adversity, González’s side showed flashes of the dynamism he promised. The return of Daniel Bocanegra added composure at the back, while Luis Ramos injected energy up front. Yet, the absence of key players and the lack of rhythm from new signings continued to hamper América’s ability to control the game for sustained periods.
On the Once Caldas bench, Dayro Moreno’s presence loomed large. Having scored a brace in Ecuador just days earlier, his omission from the starting lineup was a calculated risk by Herrera, likely with an eye on the upcoming Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal return leg. The decision highlighted the balancing act required when juggling domestic and international commitments—a challenge that can test even the most experienced squads.
As the match unfolded, tactical adjustments and substitutions became the order of the day. Herrera’s early change, bringing on Luis Palacios for Juan Castaño, suggested a willingness to adapt on the fly, while América’s bench featured options like Adrián Ramos and Jhon Murillo, both capable of providing a spark if called upon.
The league table underscored the gravity of the situation for América. With Bucaramanga, Junior, and Fortaleza FC setting the pace at the top, the margin for error was razor-thin for teams chasing a playoff berth. For América, every point was now precious, and the pressure to deliver was acute.
As the final whistle approached, the match remained delicately poised, with both sides searching for a breakthrough that could alter the trajectory of their seasons. For América de Cali, the night was about more than just three points—it was a chance to restore pride, reconnect with their disillusioned fanbase, and keep faint playoff hopes alive. For Once Caldas, it was an opportunity to build on continental momentum and edge closer to the top eight.
With the action still ongoing and neither side able to claim a decisive advantage, all eyes remain on the Pascual Guerrero. Will América’s gamble on youth and tactical tweaks pay off, or will Once Caldas’ continental confidence prove decisive? For now, the drama continues, and the story of Liga BetPlay’s most turbulent campaign rolls on.
