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Hablaliga MX: Mexico's Playoff Rivalry

Hi, I’m Giselle Cesin with The18, and this is HablaligaMX.

The Liga MX Clausura playoffs are now set, and the highlight of the quarterfinal round is definitely the "Clasico Capitalino" between Mexico City sides Club America and UNAM. As second-place finishers in the regular season, Las Aguilas will be the favorites against seventh-place Pumas, but the difference between the sides was only five points.

All eyes will be on the battle between Pumas forward Nicolas Castillo and the reintroduction of 20-year-old Mexican center back Edson Alvarez for America, who'll deputize for the injured Emanuel Aguilera. Alvarez could potentially play his way into the Mexican World Cup squad with some strong liguilla performances, and it doesn't get any more difficult than keeping the Chilean striker quiet.

We all know about Miguel Herrera's 2013 success with America in the Clausura season — when Las Aguilas won it all as the No. 2 seed — but will history repeat itself five years later? We'll find out starting with one of Mexico's fiercest rivalries.

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