In a friendly match held on March 22, 2025, Club América secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Atlante at their Coapa facilities, an effort aimed at maintaining team momentum during the FIFA international break. The match, played in three 30-minute periods, allowed América to give important playing time to its remaining squad, while several top players were away on international duty.
The sole goal of the match was scored by Cristian "Chicote" Calderón, who impressed fans and teammates alike with a stunning free-kick from the edge of the area that curled splendidly into the net. His strike not only reflected his skill but also served as a crucial moment for América as they fine-tune their game prior to resuming competitive play in Liga MX against Tigres on March 29, 2025.
This match came at a critical time for the team, as they aimed to maintain their momentum from an impressive season in which they have been leading the league. According to a tweet from Club América, Calderón’s goal was described as a "golazo,” highlighting its aesthetic quality and importance given the context.
América’s head coach, André Jardine, took the opportunity to assess the fitness and performance of his squad, as ten players were missing from the lineup, eight of whom were called up to their respective national teams. This included three players representing Mexico and others from countries like Uruguay and Colombia. Notably, Luis Ángel Malagón, Israel Reyes, and Ramón Juárez were part of the Mexican squad in the Final Four of the Nations League, while Cristian Borja and Diego Valdés represented Colombia.
Providing some relief for fans was the return of Jonathan dos Santos to action after a prolonged absence due to a knee injury. Dos Santos had not participated in a match since January 28, 2025, when América won against Atlético San Luis. His appearance in the friendly shows a positive turn as he looks to be completely fit and ready to contribute to América’s title aspirations this season.
Meanwhile, the absence of star forward Henry Martín due to Achilles tendinitis is concerning. Martín was absent as he received evaluation in Guadalajara for continuing discomfort, which will keep him sidelined temporarily. The club expects he will miss the match against Tigres but aims to have him back on the pitch soon.
During the friendly, the performance from the squad was largely viewed as positive, with players like Rodolfo Cota and Néstor Araujo also gaining necessary match fitness. The match against Atlante served not only as a competitive outing but also a valuable practice to keep all players engaged and prepared for when the league resumes.
The decision to hold the friendly at Coapa rather than traveling for matches—like many other teams do during FIFA breaks—was strategic for América. By staying at home, América can control training conditions and focus on healing players as well as integrating returning players back into the active roster without disruption.
With all eyes now turning to their upcoming clash against Tigres, América’s performance in the friendly reflects a team committed to maintaining its form while navigating the challenges of injuries and international duties. Supporters are hopeful this match will prove vital as they look to build on their current league position and advance in the Champions Cup, where they are set to face Cruz Azul in the quarter-finals.
As the coaching staff continues to strategize, all of América's players, including those returning from injury, will need to be in top form as they prepare to push toward the latter stages of the season with ambitions for both domestic and international success.
