Valentine’s Day delivered a Clásico Nacional in Liga MX with no romance attached. There was no love lost between Chivas Guadalajara and Club América of Mexico City, and when the final whistle blew, it was Chivas supporters at Estadio Akron who had reason to celebrate. Elsewhere across the Americas, Liga Argentina and Liga BetPlay Dimayor continued early-season play, while a busy midweek looms in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Copa Libertadores. With MLS and leagues across the region set to kick off in the days ahead, here are your headlines from North and South American football.
Chivas Stay Perfect With Clásico Nacional Win Over América
Chivas Guadalajara continues to sweep aside all challengers in Liga MX, and their first true test came at home in the Clásico Nacional against a struggling Club América. A 1–0 win, sealed by a first-half strike from Hormiga González, proved enough. The young striker is rapidly building a case for inclusion with El Tri ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Chivas could have extended the margin, firing 16 shots and consistently testing Aguilas goalkeeper Ángel Malagón. América’s “new-look” attack once again failed to click, finishing scoreless and limited to just eight shots. Brazilian signings Raphael Veiga and Lima were introduced in the second half, while Víctor Dávila, Raúl Zúñiga, and Henry Martín rotated through attacking roles. At 33, Martín remains without a goal since May. By contrast, González now has five goals on the season, and Chivas sit at a perfect 6-0-0.
The rest of February will provide a major measuring stick. Chivas closes the month with road trips to second-place Cruz Azul and fourth-place Toluca, the defending champions. Toluca remains unbeaten despite a lengthy injury list, while Cruz Azul improved to 4-1-1 after former Tigres striker Nicolás Ibáñez scored in a 2–1 home win over Tigres. Portuguese star Paulinho has found the net in consecutive matches for Toluca, setting the stage for critical matches.
Pumas Regroup in Liga MX After CONCACAF Exit
Pumas UNAM’s elimination from the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the hands of San Diego FC was a bitter disappointment, but domestically the team continues to grind out results under Efraín Juárez. A comeback 3–2 victory over Puebla marked their latest league success.
Pumas remain unbeaten in Liga MX, fueled by an aggressive attack led by Juninho Vieira. The 29-year-old Brazilian, signed from Flamengo for $5 million, has been central to their strong start. Pumas sit at 3-3-0, third in the standings, with a +6 goal difference. The schedule to close February, Monterrey Rayados at home before a trip to face Tijuana Xolos.
Di María Delivers Birthday Golazo for Rosario Central
Ángel Di María celebrated his 38th birthday on February 14 with a moment of pure class, scoring a golazo against Barracas on Sunday as Rosario Central moved to 2-2-1 on the season. Back at his hometown club, Di María continues to age like fine wine in the Liga Argentina.
In just 22 matches for Rosario Central, Di María has already tallied 10 goals and four assists, reinforcing the notion that class is permanent.
Meanwhile, struggles persist for Argentina’s two largest clubs. River Plate and Boca Juniors continue to sputter, and pressure is mounting on both managers. Boca were held to a draw by Platense, prompting TyC Sports to run the headline “Boca is Lost”. Edison Cavani, who shares a birthday with Di María, missed a clear scoring chance for Boca. At 39, the formerly elite Uruguayan striker appears to be nearing the end of his career.
MLS Season Set to Kick Off February 21
MLS 2026 season kickoff is just days away, and the league continues to position itself as a destination for top talent across the Americas. Notable arrivals include Uruguayan winger Facundo Torres from Palmeiras (ex-Orlando City) to Austin FC, Germán Berterame joining Inter Miami, and Canadian international Stephen Eustáquio signing with LAFC on loan alongside fellow Canadian Jacob Shaffelburg.
Liga MX remains a major talent pipeline. Mateusz Bogusz joined Houston Dynamo from Cruz Azul, Juan Manuel Sanabria moved from Atlético San Luis to Real Salt Lake, and Pumas winger Jorge Ruvalcaba signed with the New York Red Bulls.
Under former Mexico national team manager Tata Martino — who led Atlanta United to their lone MLS title and returns this season— Atlanta added young Argentine defender Tomás Jacob from Necaxa as part of a youth-focused rebuild.
Opening-week highlights include FC Cincinnati hosting Atlanta, Austin FC welcoming James Rodríguez and Minnesota United, Portland facing Columbus, and the marquee clash of the week: defending champions Inter Miami traveling to Los Angeles to face LAFC. It’s a pivotal season for MLS with the United States and Canada hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, and the league hoping to capitalize on the energy around the tournament.
Midweek Focus: CONCACAF Champions Cup and Copa Libertadores
MLS clubs face stern tests in first-round CONCACAF Champions Cup action. LAFC travels to San Pedro Sula, Honduras to face Real España, Nashville SC heads north to Canada’s cold weather to face Atlético Ottawa, and LA Galaxy journeys to Panama to meet Sporting San Miguelito. Vancouver Whitecaps visit Cartaginés in Costa Rica, Philadelphia Union travel to Trinidad & Tobago to face Defence Force, and FC Cincinnati heads to the Dominican Republic to take on O&M.
In South America, the Copa Libertadores second qualifying stage takes center stage. Juventud of Uruguay faces Guaraní of Paraguay, while Colombian sides Deportes Tolima and Independiente Medellín square off against Deportivo Táchira (Venezuela) and Liverpool of Uruguay, respectively. O’Higgins (Chile) meets Bahia (Brazil), Botafogo (Brazil) is favored against Nacional Potosí (Bolivia), Barcelona SC (Ecuador) faces Argentinos Juniors, 2 de Mayo (Paraguay) looks to maintain momentum against another Peruvian side, Sporting Cristal, and Carabobo (Venezuela) hosts Huachipato (Chile).
Unexpected Early Leaders in Liga BetPlay Dimayor
The early Liga BetPlay Dimayor table has produced a striking contrast in its leaders. Deportivo Pasto, a small budget provincial club, shares first place with Inter de Bogotá — the rebranded, foreign-backed successor to La Equidad, now joint-top in its first Apertura under a new identity.
Inter de Bogota’s early standouts include Honduran teenager Dereck Moncada, who has scored four goals, and 22-year-old midfielder Kevin Parra, on loan from Atlético Nacional.
Elsewhere, Bogotá’s traditional powerhouses Millonarios and Santa Fe have stumbled out of the gate, hampered in part by match cancellations at El Campín due to poor field conditions.
Atlético Nacional again failed to win traveling to Cali, falling to Deportivo Cali. América de Cali and Deportivo Cali sit in playoff positions alongside Tolima and Atlético Bucaramanga — two clubs that have built reputations for consistency in recent seasons.
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
