CARSON, Calif. - With two spots in Saturday's finals still up for grabs in a very wide open Group B in the 2007 installment of InterLiga, the marquee match on the schedule Wednesday night features Jauguares against Club América.
Both teams are tied with four points, but with Tecos nipping at their heels with two points, the game is taking on a must-win atmosphere for Jaguares, who trail América in the standings on goal differential.
The game is truly a David and Goliath type of affair. Jaguares were established in just 2002, and five seasons into their existence, the team from Tuxtla Gutierrez has already established itself as a force to be reckoned with in InterLiga having advanced to the finals in 2005 before falling in penalty kicks to Guadalajara.
The team standing in their way on Wednesday night is another powerhouse club in Mexico. Club América's name is appropriate as they are one of the most established clubs in all of the Americas. With an 86-year head start on Jaguares in terms of history, América is the heavy favorite heading into the game.
Jaguares aren't shying away from their role as the underdog. In fact they are well aware of the reality of Wednesday's matchup.
"(América is) one of the most famous teams in Mexico with the most history," said Jaguares head coach Eduardo De La Torre through an interpreter. "We're the away team. They're going to have a lot more fans than us."
Despite everything stacked against them, Jaguares have managed to put themselves on equal footing with América to this point in Group B heading into their most difficult test in the tournament thus far.
"This is an important match for both teams. We're going to try and put our best game forward," De La Torre said. "Obviously we know this is probably the toughest team we're going to play and they're in front of us on goal differential."
Jaguares have had some trouble keeping their opponents off the scoreboard as well. Their defense has allowed three goals in their first two games and must slow down a potent América attack if they are to win.
"We can't let them take control of the game. They have players that can take control of the game if we let them," De La Torre said. "We have to have possession of the ball and be smart with it. We have to be calm and go step by step."
Jaguares will have a slight reprieve from the offensive arsenal at the disposal of América as star forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who as scored all three goals for the Mexico City club, will not be available for the Aguilas due to yellow card accumulation.
"(Blanco is) a special player with tremendous qualities. It's going to change their scheme a little bit," De La Torre said. "They'll play a little bit faster but with less ball control. Anytime a player isn't available you lose something, but you can also gain something."
The winner of Wednesday night's game between Jaguares and América is guaranteed a spot in the InterLiga finals. De La Torre hopes that his team will be able to overcome their underdog status and ride that momentum into the finals and then all the way into the Copa Libertadores.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to InterLiga.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the tournament's organizers or clubs.
