Playing for 90
Fansided

Liga MX: 3 things to watch for in second leg of semis

By Gabe Martinez

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MAY 18: Jose Guerrero of America struggles for the ball with Edgar Castillo of Monterrey during the semi finals first leg match between America and Monterrey as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on May 18, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/LatinContent/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MAY 18: Jose Guerrero of America struggles for the ball with Edgar Castillo of Monterrey during the semi finals first leg match between America and Monterrey as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on May 18, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/LatinContent/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Only two matches remain before we know who will be the final two teams standing in Clausura 2016.

The drama is really heating up after the first leg of the Liga MX semifinals as now we have many storylines popping up that will deliver huge results for fans this weekend.

More from Liga MX

Leon was able to squeeze out a draw against Los Tuzos of Pachuca, but now they head into the cauldron of El Hidalgo where Pachuca we’re undefeated during the season with 6 wins and two draws. Leon on the other side will have to rely on their road record and be “Road Warriors” after notching four wins away from Nou Camp.

There are many more storylines; here are a few more to keep an eye on as we move into the matches this weekend.

Being the best doesn’t equal championships

Edwin Cardona of Monterrey reacts after failied his shot against America during their Mexican Apertura tournament football semifinal match at the Azteca stadium on May 18, 2016, in Mexico City. / AFP / ALFREDO ESTRELLA (Photo credit should read ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images)
Edwin Cardona of Monterrey reacts after failied his shot against America during their Mexican Apertura tournament football semifinal match at the Azteca stadium on May 18, 2016, in Mexico City. / AFP / ALFREDO ESTRELLA (Photo credit should read ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images) /

Monterrey was by all accounts the best team in Liga MX. No one was able to stop them going 12-1-4 and scoring a league leading 38 goals. Things were looking up for Los Rayados who were coasting through the season . Rogelio Funes Mori led the team with 7 goals, and stat stuffer Dorlan Pabon came in with 7 of his own with 9 assists.

All that aside, now Monterrey faces a home match this weekend down 1-0 on aggregate against a feisty Club America side. Monterrey have been on somewhat of a downturn since they’re near collapse in the second leg of the quarter finals against rival Tigres. Los Rayados will certainly look for energy from their crowd to find a way to come back and advance to the final.

Pachuca going about their business

LEON, MEXICO - MAY 19: Hirving Lozano of Pachuca celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during the semi finals first leg match between Leon and Pachuca as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Leon Stadium on May 19, 2016 in Leon, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/LatinContent/Getty Images)
LEON, MEXICO – MAY 19: Hirving Lozano of Pachuca celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during the semi finals first leg match between Leon and Pachuca as part of the Clausura 2016 Liga MX at Leon Stadium on May 19, 2016 in Leon, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/LatinContent/Getty Images) /

No team has it on cruise control, at least somewhat, like Pachuca at the moment. Quietly, Los Tuzos beat Santos in the quarterfinals and are tied 1-1 heading home for an opportunity to advance to the final. Nothing is ever easy in Liga MX, but Hirving Lozano finally has a goal in the postseason and Franco Jara is playing well taking the momentum from the regular season and six goals.

Now Pachuca need at least a 0-0 draw or a win to assure a trip to the final. Anything less and it will be disappointment once again for a club with high expectations and little to show for it. Only two final appearances since 2009.

Club America soaring

Many questions were asked of Club America throughout the regular season, did Nacho Ambriz really have a hold of this team’s mentality and discipline? It sure looks like it and Las Aguilas look more and more like a team ready to take the trophy at the end of the month.

More playing for 90: Liga MX: Gignac wants to stay in Mexico

Led by Osvaldo Martinez’s early second half goal, America are 90 minutes away from advancing to the final and recapturing the glory they felt just a few years ago. It would be a golden finish to a turbulent season and adding to the momentum of having won the CONCACAF Champions League.

Home/Liga MX