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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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Liga MX power rankings
(Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Gignac inspires Tigres; Chivas regain footing

3. FC Juárez (14 points)

4-2-2, 17 GF, 11 GA, +6

The Bravos won at América and fashioned a 4-game unbeaten streak that included a draw at Monterrey. This past weekend, Juárez overwhelmed a sturdy San Luis team on the road. Coach Caballero has his squad in the Copa MX semifinals, too, and they host the first leg against Monterrey on Wednesday.

4. Santos Laguna (14 points)

4-2-2, 12 GF, 12 GA, –

The Guerreros have been inconsistent, but have flashed their potential of late. Santos has not lost since a 3-0 rout at Cruz Azul on Matchday 3, but their wins have been workmanlike, lacking the ruthless efficiency of last season when the Torreón-based club finished atop the table.

5. León (15 points)

5-0-3, 16 GF, 12 GA, +4

Well, March didn’t come in like a lion and the Esmeraldas have done little more than bleat in protest. León stumbled badly against the Chivas on Sunday, days after being embarrassed by LAFC in a Concacaf Champions League match. Coach Ignacio Ambriz needs to light a fire under his players as La Fiera faces the meat of its schedule.

6. Querétaro (13 points)

4-1-3, 12 GF, 10 GA, +2

Burly striker Ariel Nahuelpán came over from Tijuana and his 5 goals and 2 assists have re-ignited the Gallos Blancos offense. Querétaro has three winnable games coming up, ending with a Matchday 11 home game against the Chivas.

7. UNAM (14 points)

4-2-2, 16 GF, 13 GA, +3

The Pumas were atop the Liga MX standings after Matchday 6 but have lost two straight, including a 3-0 spanking at the hands of the Tigres on Saturday. Coach Miguel González must tinker with his midfield and find a playmaker to complement veteran Pablo Barrera.

8. Guadalajara (12 points)

3-3-2, 10 GF, 9 GA, +1

The Chivas staggered out of the starting gate and coach Luis Fernando Tena was hanging by a thread. Then teen striker J.J. Macías came off injury row and scored the winner each of the past two weeks. If this team finds a comfort zone, watch out!

9. Necaxa (11 points)

3-2-3, 15 GF, 12 GA, +3

The Rayos are a hit-or-miss team, but when they click and Mauro Quiroga is getting fed in the box, Necaxa can outscore anybody. But therein lies the rub. With their inexperienced defense, they need to score in bunches.

10. Tigres (10 points)

3-1-4, 10 GF, 8 GA, +2

The mighty Tigres were almost a laughing stock, seconds away from Concacaf Champions League elimination at the hands of Salvadoran club Alianza. A miraculous header by goalie Nahuel Guzmán saved the Liga MX powrhouse, then French wizard André-Pierre Gignac capped a hat trick with a bicycle kick and all seems to be looking up. But a slow start still sees them in 12th place.

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