Toluca bring América luck
Fate? serendipity? Strange things happens whenever the Red Devils lose a Liga MX final...
The last two times that Toluca lost a final in the Liga MX, by strange coincidence, at the following tournament, América contested the title. On both occasions they managed to lift the trophy after beating Cruz Azul.
The Red Devils lost the 2022 Apertura final against Pachuca two months ago and now América will seek to continue this trend - one which began in the 2018 Clausura, when Toluca fell to Santos.
Just months after that disaster, in the Apertura 2018, the Águilas made it to the final where they found themselves up against La Máquina, whom they defeated under Miguel Herrera’s command.
A few years previously, at the Apertura 2012, the Choriceros also lost the final, on that occasion, against the Xolos de Tijuana and the following tournament, the Clausura 2013, once again América returned to to dispute the title and yet again overcame La Máquina to win it.
That was also won with “Piojo” in charge, an unforgettable duel that was sent into extra-time after goalkeeper Moisés Muñoz scored to make it 2-2. In the penalty shootout, Miguel Layún struck the decisive one to give them the championship .
Curiously, in both of those finals, Toluca played the return leg at Nemesio Diez stadium - but that’s not all. After losing those two finals, the third one also came after the Red Devils lost the title again at home in the Apertura 2007 against Chivas.
In the Clausura 2008, the Águilas also reached the final, where they faced Pachuca, current champion, but the Tuzos won the title.
Can América continue the trend and take the Clausura 2023 title? Will the Tuzos be able to clinch the two-time championship? The tournament starts this Friday and the Eagles will debut on Saturday against Querétaro.