Mexican soccer legends headed to Utah for historic Chivas vs. Club América match

SANDY — Various Mexican soccer legends are in Utah for a historic match-up between the country's most popular teams: Club América and Club Deportivo Guadalajara, better known by its nickname Chivas.

The "Partido de Leyendas," or "Game of Legends," will feature players who took both teams by storm in the 1980s, '90s and 2000s — an All-Star game of sorts for Liga MX players. The game will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Real Salt Lake's America First Field.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, coming to watch your superstars and kind of your superheroes," said organizer and sponsor José Orozco of Paisa Grill.

The two teams have about 15 players each, including stars like Salvador Cabañas, Héctor Miguel Zelada, Camilo Romero Mora, Vinicio Bravo and Felipe de Jesus Robles.

"These are players who were Mexican championship winners in their own times. They were selected for the Mexican national team or their own country's teams. These are important people in history," retired Chivas left-back Romero said in Spanish. "This is the only time that players from multiple generations have been put together. I think it's something interesting for people because they're coming to see these two historic teams. It's not easy to go to Mexico to see them, but they have the opportunity to see them here."

Romero and other retired futbolistas have played various games in Mexico, but Saturday will be the first Partido de Leyendas in the United States.

"Even though we're retired, we're still active. I love seeing the field, the camaraderie and the competition, especially against América because América is a team that has been our rival forever," he said. "These are the parts we like of playing these games. The truth is, we enjoy them and we compete well. The people are going see a good game."

The American debut is the fulfillment of a personal goal for organizer Zelada, an Argentine goalkeeper who played for Club América for the majority of his career before retiring in 1992. He says the games are a chance for players to relive the excitement and memories of playing on the field and to connect with fans.

"It's an important event. América and Chivas have historically been the classic rivals in Mexico. This is the game that the whole world always wants to watch," he said in Spanish. "We hope the event turns out well, above all, so that the people are content and are able to get the autograph, photo and more from their heroes of days gone by."

If the Salt Lake game goes well, organizers hope to host games in other U.S. cities, including two in California that have already expressed interest. So far, Romero said Utahns have been very receptive in the various meet-and-greets players have done in places like Rancho Market.

But why Salt Lake City for the debut? Nothing more than coincidence.

Zelada visited Salt Lake City and met Orozco through an event he sponsored, and plans were soon in motion to bring "Partido de Leyendas" to Utah. Orozco said his dad grew up watching Zelada play but that he and his wife are long-time Chivas fans. Seeing the two historic teams play each other in Utah isn't something he imagined in his wildest dreams.

"We would never have thought this could happen, especially with legends, players that have left their hearts and that sweat to death on the fields. We keep them on our minds, memories and hearts," he said. "The younger guys, yeah, they have a name. But it's different now. I guess the younger generation, it's more about the money than it is pride playing for their teams. That's why there's a huge respect for these players from back in the days, because it was different. It was not about the money; it was about loyalty and the heart for their teams."

Tickets for the game start at $25 and can be purchased on Seatgeek.

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