For Israel Reyes, America's starting defense, there's too much drama surrounding the first two matches of the "Eagles," and for that reason, he has downplayed the rumors of a possible departure of coach Andre Jardine, apparently due to losing track of the situation.

"Andre knows how things are, the calm which it generates for us. He knows that you don't win the tournament in two games; they're all important, and that puts you up or down, but you don't win or lose the tournament in two match days. We're really very calm because it's the start of the tournament for us; we're not going to attribute external things to anything. We have an important game to go out with four points and then come back with another victory."

Reyes also said that things are peaceful in America and that there is great support for coach Andre Jardine, and at the same time, he rejected all the rumors of a division between the squad and the coaching staff.

“As long as we're strong in the locker room, there's nothing that can affect us, or Andre. We're a family, and we mentioned that in a conversation. Of course, we believe in Andre; he has the support of the board and of us. That's how I see it, and that's how my teammates feel.” The defender also reminded those unhappy with America's current performance that it's equal to or better than their performance in previous tournaments when they won three consecutive championships, urging everyone to remain calm during these turbulent times. "There was a tournament we started like this, we entered in eighth place, and it was the third consecutive championship. You set the highest expectations, you hope for the best, you prepare, and you dream of being at the top, but the path is clear for us: the goal is to reach the final and become champions, that's what we aspire to. The road ahead might not look so promising right now, but that opportunity has passed, and I want to focus on that now. If we lose everything in the third match, but end up as champions... that's football. We're in a process where everyone is adapting.Understand the weight of this jersey; we've already discussed it with the new signings. We want them to live up to the standards of what America represents."“This weekend, they have to go into the game in Pachuca with the mindset that it's an important match for us, and we hope to take three points so we can go into this week without a game feeling good,” explained the defender, who has demonstrated his ability on a team as prestigious as Club America.

Support for Kevin Alvarez

Israel Reyes also sent a message of encouragement to his teammate Kevin Alvarez, whom America fans have made the target of their frustrations and blamed for all the team's problems since last season, and whose animosity towards the former Pachuca defender has intensified in these last two matches.

“We know the player he is, we know he's not at his best. He's been blamed, and that weighs heavily on him. “He has our support, and we support our teammates so that he can be at his best.” “I don't expect it to happen overnight; that's why he's on the team he's on.