Playing for 90
Fansided

Liga MX playoff picture takes shape, 3 spots open

By Thomas Buckley

Pumas players mob goalie Alfredo Talavera after he saved a penalty shot by Pachuca's Víctor Dávila (left). (Photo by VICTOR CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Pumas players mob goalie Alfredo Talavera after he saved a penalty shot by Pachuca's Víctor Dávila (left). (Photo by VICTOR CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Liga MX Matchday 15
Tigres coach Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti and star striker André-Pierre Gignac (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Regiomontanos vs Capitalinos highlight Matchday 16

The Tigres had climbed into third place on the back of a five-game win streak, but they failed to put away visiting FC Juárez and it cost them. The 1-1 draw allowed Cruz Azul and América to leap frog “Los Auriazules” who slipped into fifth place in the Liga MX standings.

“Tuca” Ferretti’s men can climb back into contention for a first-round bye when they visit América on Sunday night. However, the Aguilas are slowing getting healthy and they expect to have “Memo” Ochoa back in net. The El Tri goalie last played on Sept. 19, leading the Aguilas to a 1-0 victory in the “Super Clásico” against the Chivas. So the Tigres will have their work cut out for them.

The other key Matchday 16 game with a first-round bye at stake also features a Mexico City vs Monterrey story line. Second place Cruz Azul visits the hard-charging Rayados on Saturday fresh off a hard-fought 2-0 road win vs the Chivas.

The Cementeros snapped a two-game losing streak that saw them fall out of first place. Cruz Azul also ended its scoreless streak at 327 minutes when Jonathan Rodríguez converted his club’s first goal from the penalty spot. “Cabecita” scored again in minute 90+1, pushing his league-leading total to 12 goals.

The Rayados have won three straight league matches and they could arrive at kick-off with a new piece of hardware in their cabinet. Antonio Mohamed’s men host Tijuana in the second leg of the Copa MX Final on Wednesday after winning the first leg 1-0 on Oct. 21.

Win or lose, Monterrey’s extra duty could be to Cruz Azul’s advantage so “El Turco” might have to monitor playing time but the Rayados coach knows that a win could put his club in position to secure a first-round bye. If not, the reigning Liga MX champs could enter the Repechaje with fatigue issues.

Home/Liga MX