Atlas Stuns Monterrey In Thrilling Liga MX Clash

Atlas FC pulled off a dramatic 2-1 victory over Monterrey in a Liga MX showdown late Saturday night, sparking celebrations among fans and boosting their playoff hopes. The match, held at Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, saw Atlas overcome an early deficit with two second-half goals, including a late winner from Julio Furch.

The upset is trending in the U.S. due to growing American interest in Liga MX, which now rivals MLS in stateside viewership. Over 1.2 million U.S. viewers watched the match on Univision and TUDN, with social media buzzing about Atlas' comeback. Many Mexican-American fans in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston celebrated the result.

Monterrey, one of Mexico's wealthiest clubs, entered as heavy favorites but struggled defensively without injured star Rogelio Funes Mori. Their loss drops them to third in the standings, while Atlas climbs to sixth with four matches remaining in the Clausura tournament.

Key moments included a 33rd-minute opener by Monterrey's Germán Berterame, followed by Atlas' equalizer through Aldo Rocha in the 58th minute. Furch's 81st-minute header sealed the victory after a pinpoint cross from Colombian winger Jader Valencia.

The match featured eight yellow cards and a heated confrontation between coaches after a disputed offside call. VAR reviewed two potential penalties, with only one awarded to Atlas for their equalizing goal.

Liga MX's popularity continues rising in the U.S., with this match marking the third most-watched club soccer game stateside this weekend behind only Premier League fixtures. The league's physical style and late-night time slots have attracted American viewers seeking competitive alternatives to European matches.

Atlas will face Pumas UNAM next Sunday, while Monterrey meets Cruz Azul on Wednesday in a critical CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal first leg. Both matches will air on U.S. television, maintaining the momentum of this trending soccer storyline.