Atlas Stuns Monterrey In Thrilling Liga MX Clash
Atlas FC pulled off a dramatic 2-1 victory over Monterrey in a high-stakes Liga MX match late Friday night, sparking celebrations among soccer fans in the U.S. and Mexico. The upset is trending in the U.S. as Liga MX continues growing in popularity among American viewers, with Univision reporting strong primetime ratings.
The match turned in the 78th minute when Atlas midfielder Aldo Rocha scored the winning goal off a corner kick at Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara. Monterrey, the league's top-spending club, had been favored after signing Mexican national team star Luis Romo earlier this season.
Social media erupted after the final whistle, with #AtlasvsMonterrey trending on Twitter in several U.S. cities with large Mexican-American populations. The rivalry holds special significance for binational fans, as both clubs have active supporter groups across the American Southwest.
Liga MX officials confirmed the match drew over 1.2 million U.S. viewers, making it one of the most-watched club soccer games of the week stateside. The league's U.S. television rights deal with TelevisaUnivision has helped fuel growing interest, particularly among younger Hispanic audiences.
Monterrey manager Fernando Ortiz acknowledged his team's disappointing performance in a post-match press conference. "We didn't match their intensity tonight," Ortiz told reporters. The loss leaves Monterrey three points behind league leaders Club América in the Clausura standings.
Atlas coach Benat San Jose praised his team's resilience after a difficult start to the season. The win moves Atlas into playoff contention as the Liga MX season reaches its decisive phase. The clubs will meet again on May 4 in Monterrey.
Soccer analysts note the growing U.S. interest mirrors broader trends in sports consumption. Liga MX now regularly outdraws MLS in U.S. television ratings, particularly in key demographics. Friday's match delivered a 0.8 rating among adults 18-49 in Nielsen's overnight numbers.
The upset comes at a crucial time for Liga MX, which is negotiating expanded U.S. media rights ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Industry sources tell ESPN the league could finalize a new English-language broadcast deal by summer.
Fans can expect heightened intensity when these teams next meet. The rivalry has produced memorable moments since their first clash in 1944, with Monterrey holding a slight historical edge in head-to-head matchups.
