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Power Rankings: ‘Big 4’ in Liga MX hunt at midseason

By Thomas Buckley

Cruz Azul newcomer Luis Romo is showing the way for the first place Cementeros, filling in wherever coach Robert Siboldi needs him. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Cruz Azul newcomer Luis Romo is showing the way for the first place Cementeros, filling in wherever coach Robert Siboldi needs him. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Top scorer in Liga MX with 7 goals through 8 weeks. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Top scorer in Liga MX with 7 goals through 8 weeks. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

Cruz Azul is streaking, Chivas have won two straight, and América is hanging in there with stumbling city rivals Pumas up next.

The Liga MX crosses the midpoint of the Clausura 2020 this week, a perfect time to launch our Power Rankings. A few things are distinctly clear ahead of Matchday 9: the champs have collapsed in stunning fashion (Monterrey can no longer talk of a title hangover) and Cruz Azul has confounded the pundits.

The Power Rankings are not a projection of where each team will finish upon completion of the 17-game season. Instead, the rankings reflect recent performances, injury concerns and only a dash of estimated potential.

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As this is the first presentation, the list provides each team’s record, points, goals for (GF), goals against (GA) and goal differential (+/-).

Last year’s finalists – Monterrey and América – find themselves on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Rayados have not won a league game since defeating the Aguilas in the Apertura Finals. América, despite having 10 players unavailable for Friday’s Mexico City derby at UNAM, is entrenched near the top of the table.

Also firmly in the playoff hunt are the Bravos of Ciudad Juárez. The upstarts from the border town have only been in the Liga MX since last summer when ownership purchased the Lobos BUAP franchise. Coach Gabriel Caballero has the Bravos playing well above their pay scale.

Meanwhile in Jalisco, the two Guadalajara sides find themselves at the bottom of the relegation standings with the Clásico Tapatío looming on Saturday. Demotion concerns are likely to be swept away, however, since league officials have hinted that the relegation/promotion format will be scrapped after this season.

Without further ado, here are the Power Rankings through Matchday 8.

1. Cruz Azul (16 points)

5-1-2, 19 GF, 12 GA, +7

Pundits predicted the Cementeros would have another disappointing season, dismissing the roster tweaks done over the winter. Six non-contributing players were sent packing, five new faces were brought in and coach Robert Siboldi has done a masterful job (so far) of mixing-and-matching.

Cruz Azul is on a 6-game win streak in all competitions and has not lost since Jan. 17. Injuries along the back line could slow down the club’s momentum, but newcomer Luis Romo is proving to be very versatile, capable of playing central defense though the club would be best served is he held down the holding midfielder role.

2. América (16 points)

5-1-2, 8 GF, 7 GA, +1

The Aguilas have been beset by injuries and departures (especially midfield enforcer Guido Rodríguez who left for Spain’s La Liga), but are smack in the middle of the fight for the No. 1 seed because of a gritty defense and the sensational play of goalie Memo Ochoa.

América had given up only 4 goals in 7 games until an early ejection against Necaxa saw the defense unravel. If coach Miguel Herrera can find the right combination up front (his options are limited by injuries, however), this team should be a cinch for a spot in the semifinals.

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