Redemption or ruin? América’s fate on the line in LA | OneFootball

Club América are moving swiftly to put last weekend’s Liga MX final defeat behind them, with preparations underway for two matches that could help define their off-season direction.

After the setback against Toluca, which ended hopes of a fourth consecutive league title, manager André Jardine has emphasised maintaining focus as the squad now eye immediate redemption—a Club World Cup spot is up for grabs. América will travel to Los Angeles to take on LAFC in a high-stakes play-off, with the winner earning a berth at the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

The week’s schedule is tightly choreographed. Players will continue morning training at Coapa behind closed doors through Thursday. That evening, the group will depart for Los Angeles. Their time stateside will include a press conference and a high-visibility training session at BMO Stadium on Friday, where both coaches and players will field questions from media eager for updates following the club’s narrow finals loss.

Saturday, 31 May, sees América and LAFC square off at 7:30 pm local (Pacific) time. The result will determine which side carries Mexican representation into next summer’s global tournament.

América’s defeat in the Liga MX final has prompted both introspection and public gestures of solidarity. Jardine made a point of comforting defender Kevin Álvarez and midfielder Jonathan “Chiquito” Sánchez after the final whistle, offering both encouragement and tactical advice as they processed the disappointment. Such scenes have reinforced the Brazilian’s reputation among the fanbase for his leadership and steady approach under pressure.

The message from the club is one of resilience. Players and staff are keen to use the loss as fuel for their Club World Cup pursuit and the looming Campeón de Campeones fixture against Toluca in July. Recovering from a rare run of four goalless matches in their last six, including the final, restoring confidence will be a central task for Jardine this week.

With little time for disappointment, América’s response—on the training pitch and in the team environment—will be crucial as they look to re-establish momentum. The upcoming LAFC clash provides an immediate test of the squad’s ability to regroup, compete, and push again for silverware on both continental and international fronts.

Source: TUDN