Playing for 90
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Liga MX Power Rankings 10
Ismael Sosa of Pachuca exults after scoring a late equalizer while Monterrey defender Nico Sánchez laments his mistake. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

Time for these clubs to make push for playoff seeding

5. Pachuca (—)

4-3-3, 15 points, 12 GF, 10 GA

The Tuzos put on a gritty display in their first game since losing their emotional leader, midfield bulldog Jorge “Burrito” Hernández. Coach Paulo Pezzolano will have to reconfigure his midfield and on Monday night he simply inserted Víctor Guzmán. It was nice to see “El Pocho” get his first start since returning from a 9-month drugs suspension, but he is not a defensive mid so it’s not clear that he will be the long-term answer. More line-up juggling will be forthcoming.

6. Monterrey (—)

3-5-2, 14 points, 15 GF, 12 GA

The Rayados grabbed an early lead at Pachuca then were forced to go on the defensive when Ake Loba was shown red just before the half. The battled gamely but for the 23rd consecutive Liga MX game, Monterrey gave up at least one goal. The fact that skipper Nico Sánchez was at fault is particularly egregious and the high-priced defense continues to leak goals. Coach Antonio Mohamed is still tinkering with his forward line and after Loba’s dismissal, he’s likely to return to Vincent Janssen as Rogelio Funes Mori’s partner with in attack.

7. Querétaro (—)

3-2-5, 11 points, 16 GF, 14 GA

The Gallos Blancos fought León valiantly before suffering a bitter home loss that dropped them to 11th in the Liga MX table. Coach Alex Diego has this team – with the league’s smallest payroll – punching well above its weight and the Gallos play smart and tough. They could be a spoiler in the playoffs.

8. Tigres (—)

3-5-2, 14 points, 14 GF, 11 GA

Coach “Tuca” Ferretti is tinkering with his line-up after the club’s somnolent start to the season. Despite boasting one of the highest payrolls in Liga MX, the Tigres have just three wins through 10 games. If they don’t wake up – and real soon – this could be a disappointing season. Up next is a visit from Querétaro followed immediately by the Clásico Regiomontano at the Rayados. Goalie Nahuel Guzmán came off his sickbed after nearly a month and he has made a huge difference.

9. Guadalajara  (—)

4-3-3, 15 points, 10 GF, 8 GA

The Chivas struggled at cellar-dwelling Necaxa even though the Rayos played the final 50 minutes with 10 men. Only a fantastic bit of individual brilliance from Alexis Vega prevented a disastrous tie heading into Super Clásico Week. Vega also added an assist and he seems to have clinched his spot alongside J.J. Macías up front. Raúl Gudiño replaced mistake-prone José Antonio Rodríguez between the pipes, but he deserves some blame for Necaxa’s goal as he gifted a rebound for Ian González.

Home/Liga MX