América Try for Another Miracle.

By: Mauro | May 15th, 2008

Club América vs. Santos Futebol Clube (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico)

LIVE @ 5:30pm PST on Fox Sports Español

If you’re stuck at work or somewhere near a computer and don’t have access to FSE, follow the match here.

A reborn América will be hosting another Brazilian clubs tonight. But unlike two weeks ago, América are not limping into this match, rather they are stomping into it. Coming off a historic win at the Maracaná, against Brazil’s most popular club, Flamengo, América did the impossible and scored three unanswered goals and earned the right to advance to the quarters.

América almost always won at home and lost away in the group stage. Their fortunes seemed to change in the round of 16. They lost their opening match to Flamengo 4-2 at the Azteca Stadium and then turned things around miraculously in Brazil and won that match 3-0 affording them some much needed respect and a rest from the press in their country.

Santos is coming off eliminating Cúcuta of Colombia in the last round with a 2-0 win in Brazil and two weeks ago in Colombia by the same score line. They completely shut them out and showed a decent level of play against an opponent playing solely a counter-attacking posture. In the group stage, Santos only managed a draw as the away team and lost their other two away matches.

América’s interim coach, Juan Antonio Luna has said his trying to focus on putting together a strong defense strategy for tonight’s match which may mean that América may wait back on defense until they get an opening to spring forward and attack with the likes of Enrique Esqueda and Salvador Cabañas up front.

Santos, on the other hand, have Mauricio Molina, their best player by far, who will make things tough for the Mexican defense. Back to front, this squad is pretty good. Solid defense and strikers who can bury the ball when necessary. Look for them to come out and really move the ball around and expose that weak back line that América are famous for in this competition. Also, look for keeper Guillermo Ochoa to keep his boys in the running.

Cabañas and Molina are both two goals off Marcelo Martins Moreno’s eight goal tally, both with six. Moreno’s Cruzeiro squad was eliminated in the last round against Boca so if either of these two guys can’t catch him, look for Atlas’ Bruno Marioni (with seven goals) to try, he has at least one more match to attempt to catch him.

Bottom Line: América have nothing to lose inthis competition. No one is expecting them to advance given their clubs dour situation. Santos form is definitely on the upswing. The defense seems to be playing well, holding Cúcuta to zero goals over two matches and there’s not question that Mauricio Molina is on in the midfield not to mention their newest signing Lima who has two goals in two matches.

My pick: 2-2. América are at home so that will give you two goals but their defense has not been great with exception to the last match against Flamengo. Santos are a tough squad but will only manage to come away with away goals here, not enough for the win. Two weeks ago I gave the same prediction and saw Flamengo beat them 4-2 in this same stadium. América are a far different team this week and will be much more competitive.

Santos also got the news today that Kléber was called up by Brazilian National team coach Dunga to play the team’s next World Cup qualifiers. He is only one of three players currently playing in Brazil to be called up.

Check the CONMEBOL website for results, stats and upcoming matches.