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Liga MX: Pumas earn 3rd straight No. 1 ranking

By Thomas Buckley

Juan Ignacio Dinenno is leading a potent Pumas offense. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Juan Ignacio Dinenno is leading a potent Pumas offense. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX Power Rankings 10
León players congratulate Ángel Mena after he scored the team’s opener against Querétaro. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

Chivas fail to rise, but knock Necaxa into cellar

Not a single change in the top 12 – that’s a first! – as there were few surprises on Matchday 10. Sure, América’s 1-1 draw with Toluca was unexpected but the teams directly behind the Aguilas failed to impress enough to unseat the 13-time Liga MX champs.

There’s bound to be some movement next week, however, as No. 1 UNAM visits No. 2 León and No. 4 América hosts No. 9 Guadalajara in the 247th playing of Mexico’s national derby. Matchday 11 also features an attractive mid-table tussle as the No. 8 Tigres take on the No. 7 Gallos Blancos of Querétaro.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, have a look at the current Liga MX Power Rankings. As always, the item in parentheses after the team name indicates the club’s movement in relation to the previous rankings.

The second line features the record through 10 games (wins-draws-losses), total points, goals for and goals against.

1. UNAM (—)

6-4-0, 22 points, 20 GF, 8 GA

The Pumas were not so much flashy against lowly Atlético de San Luis as they were ruthlessly efficient. Playing without starters Juan Iturbe, Fabio Álvarez and Nicolás Freire, the league leaders barely broke a sweat in winning 3-0. Sub Juan Pablo Vigón opened the scoring, while right back Alan Mozo regained his starting spot and made a nifty run before assisting on Juan Ignacio Dinenno’s seventh of the season. Still the only unbeaten team in Liga MX.

2. León (—)

6-3-1, 21 points, 12 GF, 7 GA

The Esmeraldas gave up more than one goal for the first time this season, but their offense came alive allowing them to erase a 2-1 deficit at Querétaro to win 3-2. Angel Mena scored from open play for the first time in the Guardianes 2020 and it is a candidate for Goal of the Year. Ignacio Ambriz’s squad seems primed to hand the Pumas their first setback.

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3. Cruz Azul (—)

7-1-2, 22 points, 17 GF, 7 GA

The Cementeros seem to have changed their hard-luck story line. For years, the easy narrative was that Cruz Azul would always find a way to cough up points late. “Cabecita” Rodríguez scored the winner in minute 82 to overcome an early Xolos goal. This season, “La Máquina Azul” has picked up seven points with late goals. And their defense – a league-low 7 goals allowed – is jelling quite nicely.

4. América (—)

6-2-2, 20 points, 21 GF, 15 GA

The Aguilas enter Super Clásico Week with plenty of question marks, but can take some solace in the fact that the Chivas are not in peak form either. Strikers Federico Viñas (knee) and Roger Martínez (ankle) are in doubt for Saturday’s match, while Miguel Herrera’s potent offense (they lead Liga MX with 21 goals in 10 games) managed a meek 1-1 draw against Toluca, the league’s worst defense.

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