¡Almada lo volvió a hacer! La joya oculta (Arriaga) y Tapia enamoran al América
América’s Young Guns Shine: Tapia Debuts, Arriaga Scores in Win Over Atlético San Luis
The Big Picture: A New Look América at the Azteca
After a busy two weeks in the Leagues Cup where they reached the quarter-finals, Club América faced Atlético San Luis at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Coach Guillermo Almada decided to shake things up significantly. He rotated the squad to keep players fresh and made a bold statement: the future is now.
Seven of the eleven starters were homegrown academy players (canteranos). This wasn’t an accident—Almada had promised weeks ago he would give the youngsters a real chance, and he delivered.
Important Point
This match wasn’t just about the result (a 3-0 win). It was a trust exercise. The coach put the game in the hands of players who grew up wearing the badge.
Meet the New Guy in Goal: Fernando Tapia
Who is he?
Fernando Tapia is a 25-year-old goalkeeper (he turned 25 in June) making his first official start for América’s senior team.
His Journey: The Long Road Back
Tapia’s path to this moment is a story of patience.
- First Chance (Clausura 2022): He was promoted to the first team but didn’t play a single minute.
- Loan Spells: To get experience, he was sent on loan:
- Venados de Yucatán (Expansión MX)
- Gallos Blancos de Querétaro (Liga MX) — Here he finally got regular minutes and grew as a pro.
- The Return (2025): He came back to Coapa (América’s training ground) this year, waited for his shot, and got it against San Luis.
Why Now?
Almada is rotating the squad heavily after the Leagues Cup grind. Tapia earned the nod not just because the starter needed a rest, but because he has the skills and the maturity from his loan spells to handle the pressure.
The Goal Scorer: Diego Arriaga Arrives
The "Overnight" Sensation (One Year in the Making)
Diego Arriaga is a forward who has been knocking on the door for a while.
- Official Debut: January 10, 2025 (Jornada 1 of Clausura 2025) under former coach André Jardine.
- Pre-Season Preview: He scored in a friendly vs. Puebla at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes just before the current tournament started.
- The Big Moment: Against Atlético San Luis, he scored his first official Liga MX goal—a strike after the 65th minute that made it 3-0 and sealed the win.
Important Point
Arriaga isn’t a "lucky charm." He has been training with the first team for nearly a year. This goal is the reward for consistent hard work behind the scenes.
The Starting XI: A "Cantera" Masterclass
Here is the lineup Almada sent out. Notice the bold names—those are the academy graduates.
| Position | Player | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Fernando Tapia | Canterano |
| DF | Ramón Juárez | Canterano |
| DF | Miguel Vásquez | Canterano |
| DF | Emilio Lara | Canterano |
| MF | Dagoberto Espinoza | Canterano |
| MF | Alan Cervantes | Signed from León |
| MF | Ícaro | Brazilian, formed in academy |
| MF | Raphael Veiga | Brazilian signing |
| FW | Óscar Pérea | Colombian signing |
| FW | Diego Arriaga | Canterano |
| FW | Henry Martín | Signed from Mérida (Veteran Leader) |
The Count: 7 Academy Products + 4 Experienced Signings = A perfect balance of youthful energy and veteran calm.
Why This Matters: The "Almada Plan" in Action
This game was a checklist for the coach’s philosophy:
- Squad Rotation: Managing fatigue after the Leagues Cup marathon.
- Promise Kept: Almada said he’d play the kids. He started seven of them.
- Development Pathway: Tapia (loans → starter) and Arriaga (bench → starter → scorer) prove the system works.
- Identity: Playing at the Azteca with a majority homegrown XI connects the team to the fans’ heart.
Summary
- América beat Atlético San Luis 3-0 at the Estadio Azteca.
- Coach Guillermo Almada rotated heavily post-Leagues Cup.
- Fernando Tapia (25) made his first official start in goal after returning from loan spells at Venados and Querétaro.
- Diego Arriaga scored his first official Liga MX goal, six months after his debut.
- 7 of 11 starters were academy graduates (canteranos), fulfilling Almada’s promise to trust the youth.
- The win shows the depth of the squad and the success of the academy system.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Is Fernando Tapia the new #1 goalkeeper permanently?
Not necessarily. This looks like a rotation decision due to the heavy schedule. The usual starter (likely Luis Malagón) gets a rest, and Tapia gets a deserved chance to show he is a reliable backup (or future starter).
2. Who is Diego Arriaga? I haven’t heard of him before.
He is a homegrown striker who has been training with the first team since André Jardine’s era (early 2025). He is a "late bloomer" breakthrough—patient, prepared, and now scoring.
3. Why were there so many young players in the lineup?
Two reasons: Fatigue management for the veterans after the Leagues Cup, and Coach Almada’s philosophy. He believes the best way to develop talent is to throw them into real, high-pressure games at the Azteca.
4. What does "Canterano" mean exactly?
It means "Academy Product" or "Homegrown." These players joined the club as children/teenagers and developed through the youth ranks (U-17, U-20, U-23) rather than being bought from another team.
5. Did the experienced players (like Henry Martín) play?
Yes! Henry Martín (the captain/leader) and signings like Alan Cervantes, Raphael Veiga, and Óscar Pérea started. They provided the structure and experience to guide the seven youngsters around them.