León, in crisis and with James Rodríguez in doubt for next season, visits América this Saturday at the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium.
Photo: EFE – Luis Ramírez
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James Rodríguez's team, Leónvisits America this Saturday at the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium, for matchday 16 of the Mexican Apertura tournament, with the obligation to add to avoid signing its early elimination. In front of them they will have a rival on the rise, fourth in the table, who is fighting for the top and seems almost unbeatable at home.
For the emerald team, the situation is critical. With just 13 points and a goal difference of –14, León occupies the penultimate position in the championship, four units away from the last place for the play-inthat instance that offers a last chance to enter the league. The accounts are cold, and the margin of error is minimal. Any setback could definitively close the door to the final phase.
While León searches for oxygen, America breathes confidence. The capital team accumulates 31 pointsonly two less than the leader Toluca, and has made the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium a fortress: six victories and a single defeat at home support its favoritism.
His reference in attack is the Uruguayan Pablo Rodrígueztop scorer of the tournament for the “Águilas”, with seven goals in 15 appearances, ten of them as a starter. Against a fragile León in defense, his presence promises to be decisive.
James' moment: between nostalgia and uncertainty
The match also has a symbolic component: it could be one of the James Rodríguez's last commitments with the emerald shirt. The local press has reported that his continuity is not assured and that the club would not renew his contract for next season.
The Colombian arrives after playing 60 minutes in the defeat against Atlas and 40 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Pumas, in a team that, beyond names, cannot find functioning. Your coach, Ignacio Ambrizhe admitted it bluntly: “We lacked skill.”
That result prolonged a negative streak that extends from the August 30ththe date of his last victory. Since then, he has not been able to get back on track either in football or emotionally.
Looking ahead to the duel in Ciudad de los Deportes, Ambriz plans some adjustments. Everything points to return of central Stiven Barreiro to the starting eleven, a movement to reinforce the defense, and the possible ownership of the Panamanian Ismael Diazalready recovered from muscle discomfort. But the great novelty would be the return of James Rodríguez from the starta bet to regain weight in the generation of games and
A balanced background
The last confrontation between both teams also left its mark for James: it was the February 19, 2025and ended 1-1, with a goal from the Colombian. A memory that, for León, sounds distant compared to the present he is going through.
Time and where to watch the León vs. game America in Mexico
Date: Saturday November 1, 2025
Time: 10:10 pm, Colombia time
Estadio: Sports City
Transmission: Vix Premium y Win Play
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