The international break is over, and we’re back to regularly scheduled club football into the weekend across the Americas region. Here’s a look at some headlines over the break that you may have missed, including Atlas FC’s new stadium announcement, and a look ahead into the weekend action.
Atlas FC Announces New Stadium With Universidad de Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Mexico was a 2026 World Cup host city, as Estadio Akron was one of the three Mexican stadiums selected by FIFA to host matches. Now the city is set to be home to a second modern football stadium. Atlas FC announced they will move to Zapopan, Mexico, and build a new stadium as part of the Universidad de Guadalajara’s new UdeG district. The stadium is expected to be completed by 2030 and will have a capacity of 40,000, making it one of the largest in Mexico, and the most modern, alongside Akron, the home of Atlas rival Chivas, and Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA.
The announcement video from Atlas spoke about how the stadium will be a gathering point for arts, music, and culture, not just football. The voice narrating the video? That’s Mexican music superstar and Atlas supporter Peso Pluma.
The establishment of another modern stadium in Liga MX speaks to the financial health of the league and Mexico’s growing economy.
Enner Valencia and Henry Martin with Famous Hat Tricks
Enner Valencia from Ecuador and Henry Martin from Mexico are two of the regions most decorated strikers. Retired from international football, but still active for their respective clubs, Valencia came off the bench and led Boca Juniors to a 3-2 comeback in the Copa Argentina quarterfinals. Valencia’s game-winning, hat trick goal came in the 95th minute. All three goals were headers.
At 36, Valencia looked unstoppable against Argentina’s Racing Club in a key clash for Boca. The next big match for Boca Juniors is the Copa Sudamericana semifinals first leg at home against Vasco da Gama on Tuesday.
Martin, 33, has crossed 100 goals scored with the famous Club America in Liga MX, he scored his 4th hat trick with the club in a 4-2 win over Necaxa on September 27th. With America tied at the top of the Liga MX table, Martin is sure to be a factor for the club in the upcoming playoffs, assuming he can stay healthy.
Club America Celebrates 110th Anniversary, while Chivas plays Clasico Tapatio vs Atlas
The two biggest clubs in Mexican football have notable matches this weekend. On Saturday the Clasico Tapatio will be played at Atlas current stadium with 6th place Atlas looking to knock off 3rd place Chivas. Chivas will be integrating a number of players who featured for El Tri during the international break, back into the squad, while Atlas made big investments during the last transfer window and expects to at least be in the final eight team playoff.
Read More: USMNT’s Young Stars Shine as CONCACAF Sets Up Nations League Quarterfinals
For Club America, it’s the 110th anniversary game for the club, as they host Monterrey Rayados at home in Mexico City. Monterrey sits 10th on the table, out of the playoff positions, and has struggled defensively, America enters as favorites in their throwback kits. On Sunday, 7th place Cruz Azul takes on 12th place Pumas UNAM in a game that has playoff implications, another Mexico City rivalry clash, that is also a rematch of the most recent Liga MX final.
Palmeiras vs Corinthians and more South American Football This Weekend
From Brazil to Colombia we have a slate of good games across South America this weekend. Flamengo, without an injured Giorgian de Arrascaeta, takes on Fluminense on Sunday (and Santos on Thursday), while Palmeiras, the team trying to hunt them in the Brasileirao title race, has the Derby Paulista against Corinthians after playing Bahia on October 8th. Corinthians are in crisis and sacked manager Fernando Diniz after a seventh consecutive defeat.
After Monday, there will be just seven match days left in Brazil’s domestic season.
Read More: New Brasileiro Roster Rule Could Upend South American Football
Sunday afternoon has Barcelona SC squaring off with LDU Quito in Ecuador. Next door in Colombia, the game of the week is Sunday night’s clash between America de Cali, the league leaders, and Independiente Medellin which sits a perilious 7th on the table and could miss the playoffs. After 12 matches, America has compiled 27 points, all while dealing with the fallout from Colombia’s earthquake, and continued financial problems. Medellin spent big during the transfer window, bringing in Juan Fernando Quintero, but is winless in their last three matches, in part due to Quintero’s injury keeping him off the field.
Extra Time Notes
The international break is over, and the club game is back with plenty to watch across the Americas. From Atlas battling Chivas in Guadalajara, to veteran strikers like Enner Valencia and Henry Martin continuing to make history, there is plenty of intrigue beyond the biggest European leagues.
The Brazilian title race is entering its final stretch, Corinthians are in crisis, and Liga MX has a weekend full of rivalries. With the MLS playoff race also heating up and continental competition returning soon, the next few weeks could be decisive across the Americas.
The international window may be over, but the drama at the club level is carrying on.
More Americas Football Coverage
Arturo Vidal’s Move to Center-Back Is Reviving Colo-Colo
A Brotherhood Born in Pain: A Decade of Friendship Between Atlético Nacional and Chapecoense
Main Photo Credit: Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
