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Match Recap: CRUZ AZUL v AMERICA in San Diego [UPDATED]

getin2thegame posted 7/19/2008 from ballhype.com

July 19 --- Qualcomm Stadium:  The 2008 InterLiga finalists faced off at San Diego's largest venue tonight.  Matches in southern California are rare for both of these Mexico City teams, so this friendly competition was an exciting night for them as well as for the many local fans.

The last futbol held at Qualcomm - June's Mexico v Argentina friendly - set an all-time San Diego attendance record for any soccer match.  68,498 - a crowd larger than for most Chargers games held in the same venue - witnessed a loss for El Tri, but the anticipation by the local fans and resulting success of the event brought this new opportunity for the two great Mexican club teams to meet here now.

(see Saturday night's result and link at bottom of page)

In February, Club America defeated Cruz Azul in the InterLiga Final at the Home Depot Center.  This rivalry - known in Mexico as "Clasico Joven" - is one of the biggest in Mexico.  Already one of the richest teams in all of the Americas, the InterLiga win only added to Club America's popularity and renown.  In that Final, America's win came in a PK shootout, after regulation and overtime left them tied at 3-3. 

(AP photo: America's Salvador Cabanas celebrates '08 InterLiga win)

America has won 10 Mexican first division titles, while Cruz Azul has won 8 championships.  America also finished second in their group in this year's Copa Libertadores, behind only Argentinian power River Plate.  Cruz Azul made it to the Final of the most recent Mexican league championship (the Clausura), but lost to Santos Laguna.  This was the final match for both teams before the Mexican league Apertura season begins.

Update:  As for the result tonight, Cruz Azul proved the victor, 2-1.

Additional reporting on this match in both English and Spanish via MVN Soccer http://mvn.com/soccer/  (features updated through the weekend)

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(a BallHype Original article)