When Club América dismantled Puebla by an 11-2 aggregate score in the 2022 Apertura playoff quarterfinals, it wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. The rout, which occurred in late September 2022, remains the most lopsided playoff victory in modern Liga MX history. Fans in Mexico City watched in stunned silence as the team’s attack, led by Club América’s clinical finishing, turned what was expected to be a tough series into a coronation. The result sent them straight to the semifinals, where they’d face Deportivo Toluca F.C. — a matchup that would ultimately define their season.
A Historic Rout, But Not a Surprise
“It felt like watching a demolition derby,” said longtime América supporter Marco Vargas, watching from the stands at Estadio Azteca. “They didn’t just score — they carved Puebla open like a Thanksgiving turkey.” The first leg, played at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, ended 5-1 in América’s favor. The return leg at Azteca was even more brutal: a 6-1 thrashing that included braces from forward Jonathan Rodríguez and midfielder Uriel Antuna. The 11-2 aggregate wasn’t just a record for the playoffs — it shattered the previous mark of 9-3, set by Club América themselves in 2005. Even by Liga MX’s historically open style, this was extraordinary. ESPN called it “a historic rout,” while Sports Illustrated noted it was the largest goal differential in any playoff round since the current two-leg format began in 1996.The Semifinal Stage: América vs. Toluca
The semifinal schedule was set immediately after the quarterfinals wrapped. The first leg between Club América and Deportivo Toluca F.C. kicked off on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The second leg followed on Saturday, October 22, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. Meanwhile, CF Monterrey faced Club de Fútbol de Pachuca in the other semifinal, with legs on October 20 and 23. But what unfolded in those semifinals was far from predictable. Toluca, the No. 4 seed, played with a ferocity América hadn’t seen all season. The first leg in Toluca ended 1-0. The second leg at Azteca? Another 1-0. The aggregate was 2-0. América, the league’s top regular-season team with 42 points, was eliminated. The stadium fell silent. Fans left early. Even the players looked shell-shocked.Why This Loss Hurt More Than Most
This wasn’t just a playoff exit — it was a symbolic collapse. América had dominated the Apertura 2022 regular season, finishing with a 12-5-3 record. They led the league in goals scored (39) and had the lowest goals-against average among the top four. Their 11-2 win over Puebla had been the kind of performance that made them favorites to win their 14th title. But Toluca, coached by former América captain José Saturnino Cardozo, had studied them. They pressed high, disrupted passing lanes, and punished every defensive lapse. “It’s not about talent,” said former Liga MX goalkeeper and analyst Raúl Gutiérrez. “It’s about composure under pressure. América had it all — but when it mattered, they froze.”
The Ripple Effect: A League in Transition
The 2022 Apertura playoffs were the last under the traditional eight-team format. By the Clausura 2025 season, Liga MX had restructured. Teams ranked 7th through 10th now had to fight through play-in games. On April 27, 2025, FC Juárez beat Pumas UNAM 3-2 in a wild extra-time thriller to advance. CF Monterrey and CF Pachuca met in the other play-in, with Monterrey winning 2-1. In that same Clausura 2025 season, Club América finished first again — 34 points, one ahead of Cruz Azul. But the playoffs didn’t go their way. They reached the semifinals once more, this time facing Cruz Azul in the “Clásico Joven.” They lost 3-2 on aggregate. Deportivo Toluca F.C. — the same team that knocked them out in 2022 — went on to defeat Tigres UANL and claimed their 11th Liga MX title.What Comes Next?
As champions of the Clausura 2025, Deportivo Toluca F.C. earned the right to face Club América, as Apertura 2024 champions, in the 2025 Campeón de Campeones. It’s a rematch of the semifinal that defined both teams’ seasons — a chance for América to avenge their 2022 heartbreak, and for Toluca to cement their legacy. Meanwhile, América’s front office is quietly overhauling their midfield. Key players like Antuna and Rodríguez are nearing the end of their peaks. The club’s academy is being tapped for younger talent — a sign they know they can’t rely on past dominance forever.
Behind the Scenes: The Broadcast and the Fans
All Liga MX playoff matches in the U.S. were streamed exclusively on ESPN+, as noted in ESPN’s footer. For Mexican-American communities across Texas, California, and Illinois, these games were more than sports — they were cultural events. Bars in Los Angeles sold out. Families gathered in living rooms from Chicago to Miami. One fan in Houston told me: “I’ve watched América since I was six. This loss? It stings. But I’ll be back. That’s the point.”Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of Club América’s 11-2 win over Puebla in the 2022 playoffs?
The 11-2 aggregate victory was the largest margin of victory in Liga MX playoff history, surpassing the previous record of 9-3 set by América in 2005. It highlighted their offensive dominance during the Apertura 2022 regular season, where they scored 39 goals — the most in the league. The win also marked the first time since 2011 that a top seed advanced to the semifinals with such a crushing margin, signaling a potential title run — one that ultimately unraveled against Toluca.
How did Deportivo Toluca F.C. manage to beat Club América in the 2022 semifinals despite being the lower seed?
Toluca, the No. 4 seed, used disciplined defending and counterattacks to neutralize América’s high press. Coach José Saturnino Cardozo deployed a 5-3-2 formation, limiting América’s wingers and forcing them into low-percentage shots. They won both legs 1-0, with goals from striker Jhojan Valencia and midfielder Jhonder Cádiz. América had 68% possession across both games but only three shots on target — a sign of tactical breakdown, not lack of talent.
What changed in the Liga MX playoff format between 2022 and 2025?
In 2022, only the top eight teams qualified directly for the quarterfinals. By Clausura 2025, the format expanded to include play-in games for teams ranked 7–10. The winners of those single-match playoffs — like FC Juárez vs. Pumas UNAM and Monterrey vs. Pachuca — advanced to face the top six. This change aimed to increase competitiveness and reward consistency over the full season, rather than just the final stretch.
Why is the Campeón de Campeones match between América and Toluca in 2025 significant?
It’s a rematch of the 2022 semifinal that ended América’s title hopes — and now Toluca, as Clausura 2025 champions, face América, the Apertura 2024 champions. The winner earns the Campeón de Campeones trophy, a symbolic crown for the best team across both tournaments. For América, it’s redemption. For Toluca, it’s validation — proving their 2022 win wasn’t a fluke.
Who were the standout players for Club América during the 2022 playoffs?
Forward Jonathan Rodríguez scored four goals in the Puebla series, while midfielder Uriel Antuna added three goals and two assists. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa kept two clean sheets in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, however, América’s attack looked disjointed — only one goal scored across two legs. The contrast exposed their reliance on individual brilliance over systemic cohesion, a flaw Toluca exploited ruthlessly.
Where were the 2022 Liga MX playoff matches broadcast in the United States?
All Liga MX playoff matches in the U.S. were streamed exclusively on ESPN+, as confirmed by ESPN’s broadcast footer. This included both legs of every series, with English and Spanish commentary options. The platform also carried MLS, Bundesliga, and LaLiga, making it the primary hub for soccer fans in North America during the fall.
