INTERLIGA SOCCER: AMERICA MAKES FINAL.

Byline: IVAN OROZCO Staff Writer

CARSON -- Club America's critics will have to wait a couple of days.

That's because the Aguilas secured a spot in the second of two Saturday finals in the InterLiga with a 1-0 win against Jaguares of Chiapas on Wednesday in the night cap of the Group B doubleheader at Home Depot Center in Carson in front of 19,405 dancing and drum-beating fans, most of them wearing Club America yellow and blue.

Things had not been going well for Mexico's wealthiest club before coming into the tournament.

The Aguilas had been beaten by their hated rival Chivas de Guadalajara in the semifinals of the Apertura 2006 tournament, were routed 4-0 by European champion FC Barcelona in Japan at December's FIFA World Club Championship, and were beaten by African champion Al Ahly of Egypt in the third-place game.

Such results prompted a rash of criticism amid the Mexican media and fans, some calling for head coach Luis Fernando Tena's resignation.

That's why the InterLiga tournament -- which began in Houston and made a stop in Frisco, Texas, before coming to Southern California -- is a bit more significant for the Aguilas, one of Mexico's most popular teams.

Club America's star forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco made it a point that his team needed to reach the finals of a tournament that some Mexican coaches don't consider worth traveling for.

Especially when most players are not yet in top form, still preparing for the Clausura 2007 tournament that begins Jan. 21.

``Truth is, it'd be failure if we don't make it,'' Blanco said to reporters in Houston. ``Harsh criticism will follow.''

The Aguilas will face UANL Tigres at 8:15 p.m. Saturday to determine one of two remaining slots reserved for Mexican teams in the Copa Libertadores, South America's prestigious tournament.

Despite the loss, Jaguares clinched a berth in the first final, tentatively scheduled for 5 p.m., when it will take on Necaxa, winner of Group A.

That's because Jaguares finished in second place in Group B as a result of its loss to Club America, and Morelia beat UAG Tecos 3-1 in the first game of the doubleheader. The top two teams in each group move on.

Aguilas midfielder Nelson Cuevas squeezed the ball past Jaguares goalkeeper Omar Ortiz, ricocheting it off the left post.

Cuevas created the scoring play by sending a short pass to Ulises Mendivil, who returned it with a one touch pass, setting Cuevas for the score in the 70th minute.

Club America's win came without Blanco, the author of all of its goals in the tournament before Wednesday night.

Blanco, a starter on the 1998 and 2002 World Cup Mexican national teams, sat out against Jaguares to serve a one-game suspension after accumulating his second yellow card of the tournament in the second half of a 2-0 win against Morelia.

InterLiga not only serves as a chance for America -- a 10-time Mexican champion -- to forget its struggles and restore its prestige, but it is also be good timing for Blanco, who was left off the 2006 World Cup roster by former Mexican National team coach Ricardo LaVolpe, to stand out and earn a spot on Mexico's national team.

Blanco and LaVolpe didn't see eye to eye. Blanco's chances of making the national team increased when Hugo Sanchez was hired to replace LaVolpe in December.

Sanchez will announce the players on his roster Jan. 18. Those named to the list will head to camp to prepare for Sanchez's debut as coach of ``El Tri'' in an exhibition match against the United States national team Feb. 7 in Phoenix, as well as the rest of Mexico's upcoming U.S. tour announced by the Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF) on Wednesday.

Mexico will face Venezuela in San Diego (Feb. 28) and Ecuador in Oakland (March 28).

Three other dates and locations are to be determined.

Blanco helped his chances with his performance during the first two games of InterLiga, scoring three times. His three goals tie him with Necaxa's Kebler as the tournament's scoring leaders.

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