Five years later, the ghost of Carlos Vela still lingers: What is América’s record over MLS teams?

América will host Philadelphia on Wednesday in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 series, carrying a clear edge over MLS opponents in this competition. Las Águilas have not lost to a team from the neighboring league in five years, since LAFC knocked them out in the semifinals with a dazzling performance from Carlos Vela.

The club from Coapa has long held the upper hand against teams from the United States. MLS sides have fallen to América nine times, and only three have managed to beat them – Toronto, Atlanta and LAFC. The last of those came in 2020, when Vela tore through Miguel “Piojo” Herrera’s squad with a cathartic brace in that season’s semifinals.

As if that were not enough, teams that visit the nest in this continental tournament have generally struggled to come away with a positive result. Since 2013, América have suffered only three home defeats in the competition, while also posting seven draws and 17 wins.

Las Águilas also own a strong overall record in the tournament. They have lifted the trophy twice in the modern era, in 2015 and 2016. Their broader record is just as impressive: 31 wins, 13 draws and 13 losses.

Now André Jardine’s team must shake off its poor start to the campaign and show that the machine is finally running smoothly.The winter signings are at last beginning to make their case, and the squad looks ready to compete with heavyweight opponents. Philadelphia will be one step in that process, with the Clásico Capitalino looming next.

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