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Power Rankings: Cruz Azul tops Liga MX, Chivas on rise

By Thomas Buckley

J.J. Macías arrived to Guadalajara in January 2020 with such high expectations it was always going to be difficult to live up to them. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images)
J.J. Macías arrived to Guadalajara in January 2020 with such high expectations it was always going to be difficult to live up to them. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX ranking 9
Diego Rolan and FC Juárez had León on the ropes, but got blitzed for 4 goals in the final 25 minutes, foiling the Bravos’ chance to move into the Top 3. (Photo by Alvaro Avila/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

Macías continues to lead Chivas turnaround

4. Chivas, 15 points (+4)

Guadalajara was this week’s biggest climber (along with Pachuca). A month ago, coach Luis Fernando Tena was listening to calls for his dismissal. After three wins in a row, the Chivas have put any coaching controversy to rest and climbed into fifth place in the Liga MX table. Their streak coincides with J.J. Macías’ recovery from injury. The young striker scored in each of the three victories.

5. Pumas, 15 points (+2)

Coach Miguel González has no complaints about his offense, but UNAM suddenly has a goalie problem. For the second time in three games, Alfredo Saldívar played the goat. A soft outlet pass late in the game against América was intercepted and deposited in the vacated net by Federico Viñas, giving the Aguilas a 2-1 lead. A late rally had the Pumas ahead 3-2, only to see a goal in stoppage time cost UNAM 2 big points.

6. FC Juárez, 14 points (-3)

The upstart Bravos looked set to pull off another stunner, leading visiting León 1-0 in minute 66. An unlucky penalty call allowed León to tie and then it all fell apart for coach Gabriel Caballero. Still, Juárez is playing solid football and dangerman Diego Rolan is nearly fully fit. The Bravos are poised to reach the Copa MX finals, if they can protect a 2-0 lead at Monterrey on Wednesday.

7. Querétaro, 14 points (–)

Coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich has the Gallos Blancos punching above their weight again. Some key departures figured to pull Querétaro down the Liga MX ladder, but they are among the Top 7 in both scoring and defense. The addition of Ariel Nahuelpan (5 goals) has added toughness to the front line.

8. Pachuca, 14 points (+4)

The Tuzos figured to be a fringe playoff contender. They lost star Víctor Guzmán and coach Paulo Pezzolano is a neophyte. But Pachuca has proven to be stingy on defense, earning 3 clean sheets in the past 4 Liga MX games.

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