M.Ahsan
You know the feeling. Your heart races, palms sweat, the tension builds. It’s the classic rivalry that divides households and forges lifelong bonds between fans. We’re talking Club América vs deportivo toluca f.c. timeline, of course. These two Mexican football clubs have been battling it out for over a century, creating drama and memories along the way. As one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in Liga MX, there’s no shortage of storylines in the América-Toluca saga. Epic comebacks, controversial calls, fights on the pitch, you name it. Whether you’re an Águilas diehard or a Diablos Rojos supporter, this matchup is must-see football.
So how did this rivalry come to be? What are the key moments that have defined it over the years? Join us as we go back in time through the history of Club América vs Toluca. From their first match in 1916 through modern day, relive all the thrills and heartbreak again. No matter which side you’re on, this is futbol at its finest.
The Early Years: 1916-1950
The rivalry between Club América and Deportivo Toluca F.C. goes way back, all the way to the early days of Mexican football.
In the beginning, from 1916 to 1950, both clubs were just getting started. Club América was founded in 1916, and Deportivo Toluca came along 9 years later in 1925. During this era, the sport was still developing in Mexico. The teams were made up of mostly Mexican players and a few foreigners.
The first match between these two clubs was played in 1950, ending in a 2-2 draw. This kicked off what would become one of the fiercest and most passionate rivalries in Mexican football.
Over the following decades, the competition between Club América and Toluca intensified. Some of the most memorable matches were:
- The 1965 final, where Toluca won their first league title by defeating América.
- The 1975 semi-final, where América came from behind to win 4-3 on aggregate.
- The 1983 final, where América won their first double by defeating Toluca.
While the teams were evenly matched in the early years, América started to dominate in the ‘80s and ‘90s. However, Toluca had their moments too, winning a couple league titles in 1998 and 1999.
The rivalry continues to this day, with both sets of fans eagerly awaiting the next installment of this historic Mexican football rivalry. Every match between these two giants is a must-watch!
The Golden Age: 1950-1970
The 1950s through 1970s were the golden years for Club América. During this era, Las Águilas won an impressive eight league titles and cemented their status as Mexico’s most successful club.
In the 1950s, Club América captured three championships in just six years. Led by players like Antonio “Tota” Carbajal, considered by many to be Mexico’s greatest goalkeeper, and striker Carlos Lara, the team dominated the decade.
The 1960s were even more fruitful, with América winning four titles in that 10-year span. Some of the club’s all-time greats like midfielder Guillermo “Campeonísimo” Hernández and strikers Enrique Borja and Aarón Padilla were instrumental in these triumphs.
In the 1970s, despite only one league title, América remained a powerhouse and continued producing legends. Midfielder Cristóbal Ortega, a master of free kicks and crosses, and defender Mario Trejo were standouts of this generation.
During these 20 years of dominance, América also won four Campeón de Campeones titles, cementing their status as Mexico’s “Equipo de la Década” (Team of the Decade). For Águilas fans, this period represents the club’s golden age and established Las Águilas as the most successful club in Mexican football.
Era of Struggles: 1970-1990
Struggling to Find Success
The 1970s and 1980s were a period of struggles for Club América. They had a hard time replicating the success of the early years and went through a title drought, unable to win any championships during this era.
Several factors contributed to the club’s struggles. There was a lot of turnover with managers and players coming and going, making it difficult to build team chemistry and consistency. The team was also dealing with financial difficulties during this time which impacted their ability to attract and retain top talent.
On the field, América had some close calls but couldn’t get over the hump. They were runners-up in the league four times in the 1970s and early 1980s but fell short of the title each time. The fans grew increasingly frustrated with the lack of silverware.
There were some bright spots though, like the emergence of Cuauhtémoc Blanco, a young star who would become an América legend. Some key players and fan favorites from this era were goalkeeper Adrián Chávez, as well as midfielders Cristóbal Ortega and Norberto Outes.
By the late 1980s, América was able to achieve more financial stability and started rebuilding to put an end to their title drought. In 1988, they brought in Brazilian manager Mário Zagallo who helped turn things around and built a squad that would go on to win several championships in the following decade.
The 1970s and 1980s were a trying time for Club América and their loyal fans. But their patience and perseverance would eventually pay off as the team emerged from the struggles of this era poised to return to glory. The hard times made the successes of the coming years that much sweeter.
Return to Glory: 1990-2010
The Drought Years
The early 1990s were a rough time for América. They failed to win a league title for over a decade between 1987 and 2002. The team struggled with coaching and player turnover, and couldn’t seem to rediscover their winning ways.
Enter Enrique Meza
In 1996, Enrique Meza took over as manager. He helped bring stability to the club and built a competitive squad. Though titles still eluded them, the team made it to several finals and semifinals under Meza’s leadership. Fans began to hope again.
The 2002 Clausura
After a six-year title drought, América finally won the 2002 Clausura championship in dramatic fashion. They overcame a poor start to go on an unbeaten run in the second half of the season. The title was decided on the final matchday, where América rallied from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and lift the trophy. The victory marked the beginning of a new era of success.
Dominance Resumed
From 2002 to 2005, América won an incredible three league titles and two CONCACAF Champions Cups. Led by players like Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Pavel Pardo, and Christian Giménez, they played an attacking style and overwhelmed opponents. The club was once again the dominant force in Mexican football.
Struggles and Success
The latter 2000s and early 2010s saw more ups and downs. Though América won two more titles in 2005 and 2014, there were also several seasons that ended without trophies. The team went through periods of rebuilding and faced criticism from fans and media.
Still, by 2010 América had re-established themselves as Mexico’s most successful club. Through shrewd management and an enduring winning culture, they overcame years of struggle to regain their glory. The future looked bright once more at the Estadio Azteca.
The Modern Era: 2010-Present
The 2010s marked a new chapter in the Club América-Deportivo Toluca rivalry. With more parity in the league, the clashes between these two giants became more competitive and meaningful.
Revival of Fortunes
After a few years of rebuilding, América and Toluca emerged as title contenders again in the mid-2010s. América won back-to-back championships in 2013-2014, while Toluca captured the 2010 Apertura and 2012 Clausura titles. Their duels once again had championship implications, reigniting the passion of fans.
Memorable Moments
Some notable encounters during this era include:
A 3-3 draw in 2011 that saw América rally from a 3-1 deficit in the final minutes.
A 2-1 América win in the 2013 Liguilla quarterfinals, with Toluca scoring in the 89th minute but unable to find an equalizer.
A thrilling 3-2 Toluca victory in 2014, where they scored twice in second-half stoppage time to stun América.
New Stars Emerge
Players like Rubens Sambueza, Cristian Benítez, and Pablo Barrera became fan favorites and helped define an exciting period for América. For Toluca, players such as Lucas Silva, Edgar Benítez and Carlos Esquivel emerged as key contributors. Some of these players also switched sides, adding extra intrigue to the rivalry.
While América has had more success in the league during this era, the passion and drama surrounding each encounter proves that this historic rivalry is still going strong. With many more chapters still to be written, the future of this rivalry looks bright. Fans of both sides eagerly await the next showdown, where new heroes may emerge and another memorable moment may be created.