How to Watch Atlas vs Club América: Live Stream, TV Channel, Start Time for Liga MX

How to watch and when it kicks off

Second place against 15th place sounds straightforward, but Estadio Jalisco has made confident visitors look ordinary for decades. Atlas vs Club América lands at the perfect early-season pressure point: América are unbeaten and sniffing top spot, while Atlas can flip their mood in one night with a statement win.

Kickoff is set for Monday, August 25, 2025, at 01:05 UTC. That’s Sunday evening in North America.

• Local time (Guadalajara/CDT): Sunday 8:05 PM
• Eastern Time (ET): Sunday 9:05 PM
• Central Time (CT): Sunday 8:05 PM
• Mountain Time (MT): Sunday 7:05 PM
• Pacific Time (PT): Sunday 6:05 PM

TV and streaming:

• United States: Live on ESPN with pre-game, live commentary, and post-match coverage.
• International: Stream via fuboTV (free trial available for new users in supported regions).
• Live scores and stats: Sofascore and 365Scores apps will carry minute-by-minute updates, player ratings, and analytics.

Venue and conditions:

• Stadium: Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara
• Forecast: Clear skies, around 24°C (75°F), ideal for a high-tempo game

Note: Broadcast and availability can vary by location, so check your local listings or app settings before kickoff.

Match preview: form, tactics, and the pressure points

Atlas stumble into this one at 1-2-3 (5 points). That record doesn’t flatter them, but it also hides a team that can be tricky when they get the first goal. They’ll lean hard on structure under Marcelo Herrera, who favors a 4-2-3-1 that keeps the back six compact and asks the front four to break quickly when space opens. The job is simple to say and hard to do: absorb, survive, and exploit América’s fullbacks when they push high.

América look more settled at 4-2-0 (14 points). André Jardine’s side have handled different game states already this Apertura—leading early, digging out results, and managing tempo when needed. Their 4-3-3 is geared to dominate the middle third, squeeze turnovers, and get the wingers attacking the inside channels rather than staying glued to the touchline. If they control the central lanes, they’ll create chance volume.

Key players to watch:

• Atlas: Gustavo Del Prete brings the link play Herrera needs between midfield and the front line. Diego González adds ball-winning and sharp passing in tight areas. Uros Djurdjevic gives them a reference point up top—if he pins América’s center-backs, Atlas can get runners off him.
• Club América: Brian Rodríguez is the direct threat who can turn a loose touch into a sprint race. Álvaro Fidalgo sets the rhythm and often starts the second wave after turnovers. Allan Saint-Maximin, with the license to take on defenders, forces help from Atlas’ double pivot—exactly the kind of overload that opens cutbacks.

Recent meetings and mood: These sides have already met once this season, and recent head-to-heads tilt América’s way. That history matters mostly because it shapes the psychology: América will feel they can punish any mistake; Atlas will know the first 20 minutes can’t get away from them. Community predictions on Sofascore lean heavily to the visitors—68% fancy an América win, with 18% on Atlas and 14% calling a draw—mirroring the table and the form book.

Tactical chessboard: Expect Atlas’ fullbacks to pick their moments sparingly. If they bomb on too early, América’s wingers will live in the space behind them. The home side’s best route is quick diagonal balls into the channels after a turnover, aiming at the weak shoulder of América’s fullbacks. Watch for Atlas’ No. 10 zone to clog passing lanes into Fidalgo—cutting that supply forces América wider and lowers their shot quality.

América, meanwhile, will try to trap Atlas in their own third. The press cue is usually a square pass across the Atlas back line. From there, América’s nearest eight will jump, the winger tucks in, and the far fullback climbs to compress the pitch. If América win it high, the first look is the cutback to the penalty spot, where late-arriving midfielders feast.

Set pieces might be the quiet decider. Atlas have the aerial size to win first contacts, and América tend to defend zonally at the near post. A well-placed outswinger could cause trouble if Atlas can crowd the goalkeeper. On the other end, América’s rehearsed corner routines—short, then a second cross to the far stick—often shake free a runner.

Matchups to circle:

• Djurdjevic vs América’s center-backs: If he can hold the ball and draw fouls, Atlas will breathe and get numbers up the field.
• Fidalgo vs the Atlas double pivot: Stop him turning, and you make América play sideways.
• Rodríguez/Saint-Maximin vs Atlas’ fullbacks: One v. one duels that will decide territory and momentum.

What’s at stake: For Atlas, three points would yank them out of the early-season funk and flip the narrative from damage control to climb. With 5 points on the board, a win pushes them toward mid-table and eases pressure on Herrera. For América, a win likely keeps them within touching distance of first—or even sends them top, depending on other results. The unbeaten run is valuable not just for points, but for belief in Jardine’s tweaks to midfield spacing.

Lineups and team news: Expect Atlas to stick with 4-2-3-1, using a conservative first phase and looking for transitions. América should roll out an aggressive 4-3-3 with fluid roles for the front three. Final XIs will land about an hour before kickoff; no major injuries were confirmed by the clubs at the time of writing, so late changes may come down to load management and matchup preferences.

Game tempo and weather: The forecast—clear, around 24°C—should suit América’s high-press rhythm and Atlas’ sprint-heavy counters. No heavy legs from heat, and a good surface usually means clean first touches. If the game opens up late, bench impact could swing it. América’s depth gives them more levers, but a single moment—set piece, VAR decision, goalkeeper heroics—can tilt Jalisco.

Numbers to keep in mind:

• Atlas: 1-2-3. They’ve dropped points from winning positions already this term, so game management after scoring matters.
• América: 4-2-0. Unbeaten through six, with a knack for turning draws into wins in the final 20 minutes.
• Fan outlook: 68% América win, 18% Atlas, 14% draw (Sofascore community).

If you’re following along at home, the first 15 minutes will tell you a lot: Can Atlas get out on the break and turn América around, or does Jardine’s midfield choke the game early? If it’s the latter, América will rack up shots and corners. If it’s the former, Jalisco gets loud, and América have to find a Plan B under stress.