LIGA MX
What do Club América need on Apertura 2023 matchday 17 to set a new Liga MX points record?
André Jardine’s side, who are chasing their first title since the Clausura 2019, were confirmed as “super leaders” with two matches to spare.
After kicking off with a surprise home defeat to Juárez, there can be absolutely no question Club América have been the stand-out team in Liga MX’s Apertura 2023 tournament. André Jardine’s side were confirmed as “super leaders” with two matches to spare after the midweek win over Atlético San Luis, which was their sixth in a row and took their unbeaten run to 14 matches. They have since added another victory over Tijuana and could claim a Liga MX record in their final game of the season against Tigres.
Las Águilas have won 12, drawn three and lost one of their 16 league fixtures, taking 39 points from a possible 48. Three more from their visit to Estadio Universitario will take them onto 42, which no team has ever achieved in the league phase of a short tournament in its current format.
América already hold overall Liga MX short tournament record
Coincidentally, América hold the “overall” record with 43 points, which they amassed in the Apertura 2002 tournament. However, there were 20 teams taking part in Liga MX at the time, which meant each team played 19 fixtures rather than the current 17. The league was cut to 18 clubs in time for the Apertura 2004 and has remained that way ever since.
Which clubs hold the record in the current 18-team format?
Two teams have reached 41 points since the change. Club Léon were first to do so in the Clausura 2019 but went on to lose in the liguilla final to Tigres.
Cruz Azul then repeated the feat in the Guardianes 2021 tournament and also proved their dominance in the playoffs, beating Toluca, Pachuca and Santos Laguna in two-legged ties to win their most recent Liga MX title.
América’s task next weekend is simple. To become record-breakers, only an eighth successive league win will do.