América in trouble: What do Las Águilas need to make the playoffs?

Throughout the Clausura 2026, Club América has dealt with a series of challenges, ranging from injuries to key players to a roster that has often lacked the depth and consistency needed to mount another serious run to the Liga MX final. After initially struggling to climb the standings, Las Águilas have now worked their way into playoff contention - though their spot is far from secure.

América currently sits seventh in the regular-season table with 19 points, tied with Atlas and León. That logjam means that any of the three could end up qualifying for the postseason. Adding to the uncertainty, Santos Laguna is the only team that has been mathematically eliminated so far. Every other club still has a path to the ‘big dance’, which only tightens the margins and leaves América with little room for error.

What does América need to qualify?

While the numbers paint a complicated picture, América controls its own destiny. And their final matches come against the very teams they are level with in the standings: Atlas and León.

The toughest challenge on the schedule is a showdown with Toluca this weekend. After that, América travels to Guanajuato to face León, before closing the regular season at the Estadio Ciudad de México against Atlas. Securing all nine points from these matches would remove any doubt, but a six‑point finish would likely also be enough to see América qualify in either sixth or seventh place.

Ultimately, qualification for the playoffs is in América’s hands. This is a stage the club has reached consistently - especially under head coach André Jardine - and missing out would represent a clear and resounding failure. That would be even more difficult to swallow after their recent elimination from the CONCACAF Champions Cup, making a deep domestic postseason run all but mandatory for one of Mexico’s most demanding clubs.

América vs Toluca: kickoff times, how to watch in the U.S.

On matchday 15 of the Clausura 2026 regular season, América and Toluca meet today, Saturday, April 18, with kickoff at the Estadio Ciudad de México scheduled for 11:07 p.m. ET/8:07 p.m. PT.

Viewers in the United States can watch the game on CBS Sports Network, TUDN USA, Univision, Univision NOW and ViX. You can also stream the action on fubo, which offers new users a free, introductory trial.

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