Xolos vs León: duel of the needy on the border

Last tournament, Chivas left a bitter taste when they were eliminated by Cruz Azul in the semifinals. The team arrived depleted by the absence of five called up to the Mexican National Team. Now, with the full squad and new reinforcements, the message is clear.

“We have to be champions… the objectives are no longer to reach the Liguilla, it is no longer the first places, it is no longer to get to the semifinals. Today is completely the championship,” declared Luis Romo.

The midfielder was one of those selected and knows that there are no more excuses. The additions seek to strengthen the team. “Something very big is being created. The only objective is to win,” he added.

Despite the clear goals, Romo acknowledged that they must improve. In the debut of Apertura 2026, Chivas fell at home against Toluca with a very poor display.

“We have to improve, learn a lot from that game, because again Toluca makes us pay with that hierarchy of a team that has been champion,” he said.

For the red and white captain, teams like the Red Devils are the ideal parameter. “To be champions and really compete, those are the rivals we have to beat.”

Romo concluded: “We want to be champions, but we have to grow, be more forceful, decisive, stop making mistakes. The only objective is to win. We don’t think about anything other than going step by step.”

The second date of the Apertura 2026 tournament is completed this weekend with seven matches scheduled from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26. The original calendar was modified due to the duel for the Champion of Champions between Cruz Azul and Toluca, which will be played this Saturday.

Hence, both clubs brought forward their matches for matchday 2 last Tuesday. The results: Cruz Azul beat Puebla 2-1 and consolidated itself as leader with six points, while Toluca fell 1-2 to Pumas. With three units, Pachuca, Tijuana, Atlas, Toluca, Monterrey, Necaxa, América, Puebla and Pumas follow.

Friday, July 24

• Tijuana vs León | 9:00 p.m. | FOX and FOX One
• Atlante vs America | 9:00 p.m. | Azteca 7, ESPN and Disney+ Premium

Saturday, July 25

• Chivas vs FC Juárez | 17:07 hours | Amazon Prime Video
• Santos Laguna vs Atlas | 9:00 p.m. | ESPN, ViX Premium and Disney+ Premium
• Tigres vs Atlético de San Luis | 9:00 p.m. | Azteca 7, Disney+ Premium and FOX One

Sunday, July 26

• Necaxa vs Monterrey | 17:00 hours | FOX and FOX One
• Pachuca vs Querétaro | 7:00 p.m. | FOX and FOX One

All times correspond to central Mexico. The second day will close with these duels, which will define new positions in the general table.

Reactions to Ochoa’s retirement

A few days ago, Guillermo Ochoa announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41. The news generated various reactions in the media. Carlos Salcido, a former teammate on the Mexican team, dedicated heartfelt words to him.

“I thank Memo for that energy, that positivity, that resilience that he has shown,” said the former defender. He stressed that these qualities must serve as an example for new generations.

Salcido also reflected on the lack of references in Mexico.

“Here we are lacking those guides, those characters that motivate us, especially the boys, the girls. Right now we are with the issue of the Women’s League and sometimes we grow a little from those guides to be protagonists and try to make our dreams of being soccer players come true. Today Memo is doing that, later the twenty will fall, but what he has done is impressive,” he explained.

In his farewell, Ochoa shared an emotional message after his participation in the 2026 World Cup, his sixth World Cup.

“I gave it my all, I left everything in my teams and in my national team, and today I hand in my gloves,” he stated.

Salcido closed with a thank you: he recognized the goalkeeper’s dedication during his long career.