The Apertura 2025 tournament isn’t getting any easier for André Jardine and Club América. The team has managed just one win in three clásico matchups, most recently falling to Cruz Azul.
To make matters worse, they lost promising youngster Isaías Violante to injury during a friendly against Chivas.
Violante had been one of Jardine’s go-to options for fulfilling the league’s youth minutes requirement, alongside Dagoberto Espinoza – who’s also sidelined after tearing the ACL in his left knee, ruling him out for the rest of the tournament and the start of the next.
América still owes minutes under youth rule
With four matchdays remaining in the Apertura 2025, Las Águilas still need to log 260 minutes to comply with Liga MX’s youth player rule.
Who can step up for Jardine?
With Violante and Espinoza out, three players will need to come to the rescue: Ralph Orquin, Miguel Vázquez and Patricio Salas. All three have seen action this season, but Vázquez and Salas have logged fewer than 20 minutes combined. That leaves Jardine in a tight spot as he looks to balance competitive results with regulatory compliance.
Isaias Violante of America during the 6th round match between Atlas and America as part of the Liga BBVA MX, Torneo Apertura 2025 at Jalisco Stadium, on August 24, 2025 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.Luis Fernando Toris
What happens if América doesn’t meet the youth requirement?
Failure to meet the mandated minutes comes with two penalties. First, a deduction of three points from both the general standings and the coefficient table – potentially jeopardizing América’s direct qualification to the playoffs or affecting their seeding.
Second, a 15% reduction in the funds received from player development rights, which could impact the club’s long-term investment in its youth system.
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