CARSON, Calif. - A funny thing happened on Monterrey's path to Copa Libertadores. In order to qualify for their first-ever Libertadores, the Rayados will have to get past an old, familiar and bitter rival.
Monterrey will face none other than Tigres for the right to play in Copa Libertadores in a decisive InterLiga match Sunday at Home Depot Center. The two clubs could seemingly play a pick-up game in a hotel lobby with more intensity and emotion than they would playing most other opponents in a meaningful game.
It was actually not a match Monterrey coach Miguel Herrera wanted.
"It's a derby that we knew was a possibility. Of course, I did not want it to happen, not because we did not want to play them but because we had the chance to take the Libertadores to Monterrey," Herrera said. "Both Tigres and Monterrey could have done that but unfortunately that won't happen."
Had Monterrey held on to its 1-0 lead against Pachuca on Wednesday, the scenario would be different. But Nelson Cuevas' late goal gave the teams a 1-1 draw and sent Monterrey through to Sunday's finals as Group A's second place side. Tigres won Group B and the derby is now set.
Derbies seemingly bring out the best from both sides. Monterrey vows not to stray from that.
"We're going to give it everything we have," Herrera said. "We know that this is more than just a derby. There's also a Libertadores ticket at stake so we're not going to hold anything back."
Last season, Monterrey and Tigres had three editions of the so-called Clasico Regiomontano. During the Apertura 2005 regular season, Monterrey beat Tigres 2-1 in Week 9 at Monterrey's Estadio Tecnológico. In the playoffs, Tigres squeezed in as the number eight seed and upset top-seeded America, setting up a semifinal showdown against second-seeded Monterrey. Tigres took the first game 1-0 on a goal by Sixto Peralta in Tigres' Estadio Universitario. Monterrey and Tigres were deadlocked 1-1 late in the second leg, a result that favored Tigres. However Guillermo Franco, in what would be his last goal with the club, scored five minutes from time and Monterrey held on for a 2-1 win and advanced to the final.
It was just another chapter in the long history of the Clasico Regiomontano.
"It should be interesting to play them for the right to go to Libertadores," midfielder Luis Perez said.
Now, one of Mexico's best derbies will be played out in a new setting. The grand majority of the 79 previous derbies have played out in the regular season. In fact, it was not until the Clausura 2003 season that the Clasico Regiomontano was played in a Liguilla. That time, Monterrey ousted Tigres on a 5-3 aggregate on their way to the Mexican league championship.
This will be the first derby to be played on U.S. soil. Typically, these derbies are played in front of large and frenzied crowds. It is not uncommon for a Clasico Regiomontano to sell out in minutes, nor is it uncommon for fans to line up for up to several days for tickets to such games.
But at The Home Depot Center, it has been another team that has shown a penchant for putting fans in the seats.
"We can't deny that Chivas has brought the fans," Herrera said. "They have filled the stadiums but a derby is a derby. I'm sure many people will be awaiting our game as well."
Despite the overabundance of red-and-white striped Chivas shirts, groups of fans sporting both Tigres and Monterrey jerseys were present during both InterLiga matchdays at The Home Depot Center. Herrera expected a bit more of that for their match on Sunday.
"There were fans from both teams at these games and probably more out here following these teams who will be at the game," Herrera said.
Still, no matter the setting nor who is present, the Monterrey-Tigres matchip stands on its own.
"It's about the two teams who will give it their all on the field," Herrera said. "The stands won't really come into play because the game will more than make up for that."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to InterLiga.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the league or its clubs.
