The Aguilas Face El Mengao in Mexico City.

By: Mauro | April 30th, 2008

CF America vs. Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico)
LIVE @ 3:30pm PST on Fox Sports Español.

America are at the bottom of the Mexican league but have fared really well at home in the Libertadores and that was enough to get them into the round of 16. They won their three matches at home and lost the three matches away. America are not a very consistent squad but again, at home are tough to beat. Look for Salvador Cabañas (pictured above) to keep the Flamengo defenders busy. He’s quick and has a big body so he can protect the ball well and beat defenders off the ball.

Flamengo have qualified for this spot in the competition by winning four of six matches in the first round, drawing one and losing one to Nacional in Montevideo. Look for Marcinho to be an important component of Flamengo’s offense tonight. El Mengao are a great side and have a very clear footballing proposal when they are on the pitch.

This tie could easily be billed as the Round of 16’s Yin against the Yang. America has been incredibly irregular while Flamengo has been a very solid regular team. Flamengo will look for the draw or win, if possible at the Azteca, and then at home will look to score 2 or 3 goals on you. America on the other hand is likely to score four goals on you but unable to keep your team from scoring four goals as well.

Bottom Line: This result depends on which America squad we will get at game time. Flamengo will come out to press their opponents, look for a goal and then close up shop. My pick: 2-2. America will score multiple goals but will not be able to avoid getting scored on. Flamengo will leave with two HUGE away goals and go back to Rio with a little momentum in their favor.

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