America moves game due to poor field conditions at Estadio Azteca

The terrible state of the field at this capital’s Estadio Azteca is forcing Club America to play their final match of the Liga MX regular season in Toluca, coach Miguel Herrera said.

“They’re going to fix the field and the most viable (option) is Toluca. It’s a good field, as well as nearby. It’s a good decision, we have to get our field ready for the playoffs,” he said.

America will now host last-place Veracruz on Nov. 24 at Nemesio Diez stadium in Toluca.

Currently second, America can take the top spot if they beat Veracruz and first-place Cruz Azul fail to defeat Morelia.

The 87,000-seat Estadio Azteca serves as the home field for both America and Cruz Azul, meaning that it hosts at least one match a week during the Liga MX season.

In recent weeks, the stadium has also been the venue for several concerts and the turf has suffered from heavier-than-usual rains for this time of year.

Last Saturday, the Cruz Azul coach raised concerns about the condition of the turf ahead of a match and the US National Football League decided to move a Nov. 19 game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams from the Azteca to California because of the poor state of the field.

The hope is that the Azteca will be ready in time for the Dec. 1 start of the playoffs.