CLUB AMERICA PREVAILS AGAINST GUADALAJARA AMERICA 2, GUADALAJARA 1.

Byline: Scott French Staff Writer

Mexico's preparations for next week's World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica cost Club Deportivo Guadalajara five starters and its ``Superclasico'' rival Club America two for their exhibition showdown Wednesday night. The watered-down lineups didn't dissuade fans of Mexico's two biggest teams from packing into every inch of the Coliseum.

The sellout crowd of 88,816, with many more turned away, witnessed America, the reigning Mexican Primera Division champion, rally for a 2-1 victory with a pair of goals early in the second half.

Christian Gimenez fed halftime substitute Cuauhtemoc Blanco, the former Mexican national team star, in the 47th minute, then finished a flicked-on corner kick in the 53rd to lift the Mexico City-based Aguilas.

Guadalajara, popularly known as Chivas, had taken a 25th-minute lead when Alberto Medina finished a superb pass into space from Adolfo ``Bofo'' Bautista, an enigmatic forward with all the abilities to play for Mexico whose insistence to forcefully express his individuality - bleach- blond hair, No. 100 jersey and a tendency to spout off - hasn't endeared him to Tricolores coach Ricardo Lavolpe.

The game was the second of a doubleheader that started with the Galaxy's 1-0 triumph over Chivas USA, which is affiliated with Guadalajara. Club America is negotiating to join its rival in MLS, with reported plans to purchase the San Jose Earthquakes and move them to Houston.

The aging Blanco, whose skills and approach are similar to Bautista's scored with his first touch. America nearly netted a third goal in the 65th minute, but halftime substitute Kleber Boas struck the left post off a corner kick.

Scott French, [phone]

scott.french(at)dailynews.com