Overview
- Pumas clinched the final Play-In spot with a 3-2 win over Cruz Azul to finish 10th in the Apertura 2025 table.
- Forward José Juan Macías left the match on crutches with a knee problem, and early reports suggest he could be sidelined for several weeks pending medical confirmation.
- Pumas expect to be without several starters on international duty for the opener, including Keylor Navas, Álvaro Ángulo, Coco Carrasquilla, Pedro Vite, Ángel Azuaje and Jorge Ruvalcaba.
- Carrasquilla is ruled out regardless due to yellow-card accumulation, compounding the selection issues created by national-team call-ups.
- Liga MX’s Play-In begins Nov. 19 and Pumas will open on the road, as renewed criticism of the format grew with Carlos Hermosillo calling the tournament mediocre given Pumas’ 21 points and negative goal differential.