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Liga MX: Semifinal stage set with intriguing matches

By Gabe Martinez

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MAY 15: Oribe Peralta of America reacts during the quarter finals second leg match between America and Chivas as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on May 15, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Miguel Tovar/LatinContent/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MAY 15: Oribe Peralta of America reacts during the quarter finals second leg match between America and Chivas as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on May 15, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Miguel Tovar/LatinContent/Getty Images) /
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We’ve reached the Liga MX final four and the matchups are worth the watch this week.

After a riveting quarterfinal round, four teams survived their respective clashes to give themselves a chance at glory. All four clubs are no stranger to winning it all, in fact, combined, they’ve won 27 championships.

Now, Club America, Monterrey, Pachuca or Leon will look to add one more to their trophy case in the coming weeks.

Leon vs. Pachuca

Aldo Rocha (L) of Leon vies for the ball with Franco Jara of Pachuca during their Mexican Apertura tournament football match at the Hidalgo stadium on November 07, 2015, in Pachuca, Mexico. AFP PHOTO/MARIA CALLS (Photo credit should read MARIA CALLS/AFP/Getty Images)
Aldo Rocha (L) of Leon vies for the ball with Franco Jara of Pachuca during their Mexican Apertura tournament football match at the Hidalgo stadium on November 07, 2015, in Pachuca, Mexico. AFP PHOTO/MARIA CALLS (Photo credit should read MARIA CALLS/AFP/Getty Images) /

This is the quieter of the two semifinal matchups, not many are touting this a “must watch” match, but rest assured Los Tuzos and Leon will provide plenty of intrigue with a chance to move on.

Leon has not been to the final since Clausura 2014, when they beat Pachuca to win back-to-back titles. After dispatching Morelia 5-2 they’ll lean on Jose Juan Vasquez, goal scorer Mauro Boselli and goalkeeper William Yarbrough against a young and dynamic Pachuca side.

Speaking of Los Tuzos, they beat Santos Laguna 4-3, in a two-legged affair that was closer than some thought. Pachuca will look to Hirving Lozano and Rodolfo Pizzaro to anchor their offensive attack and feed Franco Jara for goal scoring chances. The only question for Pachuca; can they survive with 43-year-old Oscar Perez as their starting goalkeeper?

Monterrey vs. Club America

MONTERREY, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 07: Rogelio Funes Mori of Monterrey (L) fights for the ball with Osvaldo Martinez of America (R) during the 16th round match between Monterrey and America as part of the Apertura 2015 Liga MX at BBVA Bancomer Stadium on November 07, 2015 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/LatinContent/Getty Images)
MONTERREY, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 07: Rogelio Funes Mori of Monterrey (L) fights for the ball with Osvaldo Martinez of America (R) during the 16th round match between Monterrey and America as part of the Apertura 2015 Liga MX at BBVA Bancomer Stadium on November 07, 2015 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/LatinContent/Getty Images) /

If there was ever a blockbuster matchup that many would hope would be a grand final it would be this one. Unfortunately, we’ll see Las Aguilas and Los Rayados face off in the semis and what a set of matches it will be.

Monterrey are coming off a thrilling, yet tense, match versus arch rival Tigres. Los Rayados had a 3-1 lead after the first leg thinking they were all but set to head to the semifinals. Yet, Tigres came out swinging and provided Monterrey a huge scare, although missing two penalties didn’t help. Now, looking ahead Rogelio Funes Mori and stat stuffer Dorlan Pabon will lead the team in hopes to advance to their first final since Clausura 2012.

Related Story: Liga MX: Each playoff team's most important player

Meanwhile, Club America had a tough finish to the regular season tumbling from second to fourth in the standings that saw them end up facing rival Chivas. Following a 0-0 draw, America was able to muscle to a 2-1 victory with a goal by Oribe Peralta. America survived having their heart and soul, Rubens Sambueza, out of the lineup after a red card in the first leg. Sambueza is back and will be a force for Las Aguilas along with usual suspects Peralta, Darwin Quintero and Paul Aguilar.

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