Liga MX: Aguilas, Cementeros top Power Rankings
Mexico City rivals claim superiority in initial Liga MX rankings.
After a busy three-games-in-11-days stretch and the Guardianes 2020 not quite one-third of the way into the season, Playing for 90 presents its inaugural Liga MX Power Rankings of the season.
This has been a difficult season to handicap thus far – and will continue to be so – as the coronavirus sidelines players from time-to-time. The pandemic also disrupted training camps so teams are still showing considerable rust. Let’s hope Liga MX clubs come to grips with the New Normal so that game-day displays fully reflect the talent across the league.
That being said, highlights from across the Liga MX are not in short supply. There have been several entertaining games through the first five games of the season: Toluca 3, Tigres 2 and Cruz Azul 3, FC Juárez 2 (Matchday 5); Monterrey 2, Santos 2 (Matchday 3); and Toluca 3, Atlético de San Luis 2 (Matchday 2), just to name a few.
So without further ado, here is the season’s first Liga MX Power Rankings. There are two 3-way ties: Toluca, Tigres and Querétaro at No. 6 and Pachuca, Santos and Monterrey at No. 10.
The first line after the team name features the club’s points through five matches, their record, and goals for then goals against.
1. América
10 points, 3-1-1, 11 GF, 7 GA
The Aguilas looked like world beaters through four games, their 1-1 draw at Necaxa notwithstanding. Then a silly tantrum by Richard Sánchez brought a red card just before halftime at Querétaro and the Gallos Blancos made them pay. Despite the 4-1 loss, América is the class of the league with a deep roster about to get even deeper as midfield playmaker Nicolás Benedetti is set to return from February knee surgery.
2. Cruz Azul
10 points, 3-1-1, 8 GF, 4 GA
The Cementeros claimed the preseason Copa GNP trophy and learned they had some talented youngsters on the bench. But a Matchday 4 stumble against Querétaro (them again) ended the club’s 18-game unbeaten streak. It may have been just the wake-up call coach Robert Siboldi needed to focus his team again. Defensive stud Pablo Aguilar is due back this month after tearing knee ligaments in February and that will strengthen a stout defense.
3. Toluca
9 points, 3-0-2, 10 GF, 10 GA
The Diablos seem out of place up here after losing their best player (Leo Fernández) but their offense is clicking with Alexis Canelo supplying exactly half their goals. However, their defense is quite leaky and it will be difficult to remain in the hunt for a playoff bye if they have to outscore their opponents every game.
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3. Tigres
8 points, 2-2-1, 8 GF, 5 GA
This is becoming all too familiar. The high-priced Tigres appear disinterested in the regular season, expecting to turn it on down the stretch and in the Liguilla. But this time, the defense appears very vulnerable. And curmudgeonly coach “Tuca” Ferretti has been keeping the aforementioned Leo Fernández on the bench instead of pairing him with André-Pierre Gignac in attack.
3. Querétaro
7 points, 2-1-2, 8 GF, 6 GA
Despite having the lowest payroll in Liga MX, the Gallos Blancos are playing like world-beaters for coach Alex Diego. The front office unloaded seven key players over the summer but fans are quickly learning that Hugo Silveira, Kevin Ramírez, Fernando Madrigal and Erik Vera can play some footy.
6. León
10 points, 3-1-1, 4 GF, 3 GA
The Esmeraldas have sported the most fluid offense for the past four seasons, but desperately miss the striking prowess of J.J. Macías. They still pass-and-move with flair and Luis Montés is still playing at MVP level, but coach Ignacio Ambriz has not found a point man up front. Joel Campbell has been abysmal. Maybe it’s time to go with Emmanuel Gigliotti. León does boast the stingiest defense in Liga MX, however.