Behind closed doors, América beat Pachuca 2-0 and maintains its unbeaten run.

▲ American defense leader Sebastián Cáceres prevented Pachuca from scoring. Photo AFP

Alberto Aceves

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, August 31, 2025, p. a27

América played alone and tried to fill the emptiness of the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium—suspended on Friday from public activities by order of the Benito Juárez mayor's office—with sounds of intense play, protests, and instructions that could be heard from the technical directors' area to the entrance gate to the Bullring, to disguise the strangeness of the 2-0 victory over Pachuca, on matchday seven of the Liga MX.

In the absence of the anthem and the Americanista chants so representative of their fans, the game in which the Águilas secured their fourth consecutive victory, second place, and undefeated status so far in the tournament was characterized by the passionate voices of the players: "Don't lose your mark, Chino," "Watch the rebound," "Out, out," "We've got the advantage, asshole, let go of the ball." No colorful welcomes or dedications to the stands.

Even the goal scorers – Igor Lichnosvky (21) and Allan Saint-Maximin (71) – celebrated without the usual fanfare as they secured the fifth victory for the Águilas in the tournament, with which they now have 17 points and are just one behind the leader Monterrey.

Following the Benito Juárez mayor's office's order banning public entry to the stadium, due to club security personnel "exceeding their authority at a Liga Femenil match (América-Santos) held on Thursday in the Nochebuena neighborhood," América dismissed its attempts to appeal the order and announced hours earlier that the tickets sold would be refunded to its fans.

"A working group meeting has been convened, which will take place next Tuesday, September 2, with the aim of ensuring order and safety conditions for both local residents and fans," the district announced on social media last night. Residents of the Nochebuena neighborhood called for strengthened safety protocols.

"What we want is for a match to take place with all the necessary safety measures in place. They're putting everyone at risk," they said outside the stadium. Given the unexpected nature of the suspension, some people traveled from different states, paying more than 5,000 pesos for transportation, hotel, and tickets, and resigned themselves to watching the match on television.

Cruz Azul defeats Chivas

Amid controversy, Cruz Azul defeated Chivas, which is facing a crisis, 2-1 in a match where Javier Chicharito Hernández reappeared after having published misogynistic and sexist messages weeks ago.

Jose Antonio Paradela – with a goal in the first minute – and Carlos Rotondi (45) scored to keep La Máquina unbeaten. Not even Gabriel Toro Fernández's disallowed goal affected the Celestes' rhythm. The red-and-whites left the Guadalajara stadium to boos after sinking into last place with four consecutive matches without a win in one of their worst seasons.

Meanwhile, Tigres jumped to the top spot by beating Santos 1-0, while León thrashed Querétaro 3-0.

AP and AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, August 31, 2025, p. a27

Mexican Javier Assad won his first game in nearly a year in the Major Leagues yesterday, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Kyle Tucker was also key to the win, connecting on two hits and driving in a run.

Assad allowed just three runs and seven singles in six innings, a remarkable performance considering the game was only his fourth start this season after being sidelined for four months with an oblique injury.

The Tijuana native's last win came on August 31, 2024, when he defeated Washington 7-4. Now recovered, Assad was recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Iowa due to Jameson Taillon dealing with a groin injury.

The Chicago Cubs will look to sweep the series today at the Rockies' home ground after winning the first two games.

In the game, Kyle Tucker reached base four times and scored two runs, while Michael Busch, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each had two hits for the Cubs.

In extra innings, the New York Yankees defeated the Chicago White Sox 5-3 on a home run by Aaron Judge, extending the Bronx Bombers' winning streak to seven straight games.

Meanwhile, the reigning champion Dodgers fell 6-1 to the Diamondbacks, their second straight loss. Their star player, Shohei Ohtani, went hitless for the first time in four games, an atypical performance for the Japanese player.

Venezuelan Ildemaro Vargas hit a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to secure Arizona's fourth straight win.

Phillies defeat Braves

In Philadelphia, Trea Turner hit a two-run single with two outs in the 10th inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 victory over the Braves, spoiling the return of the most recent NL Cy Young Award winner, Chris Sale, to Atlanta's starting rotation.