Liga MX: America throttles Tigres to clinch playoff bye
The Aguilas climb into second in Liga MX table
Liga MX superstars América clinched a first-round bye and a spot in the Liguilla with an impressive 3-1 win over the visiting Tigres Sunday night.
Francisco Córdova got a brace for the Aguilas sandwiched around a goal by defender Emanuel Aguilera to boost Miguel Herrera’s team into second place in the Liga MX table with 31 points.
The Pumas, Cruz Azul and Monterrey are 2 points back of América, but since Cruz Azul hosts the Pumas on Saturday, they can’t both surpass América’s point total, guaranteeing the Aguilas a top 4 spot and the bye.
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The Tigres have slipped into sixth place and will now need help to steal a top seed.
Here’s the top of the Liga MX standings heading into the final weekend with points/goal difference and final match:
1. León 39 points / +13 at Toluca
2. América 31 points / +9 at FC Juárez
3. Pumas 29 points / +11 at Cruz Azul
4. Cruz Azul 29 points / +8 vs UNAM
5. Monterrey 29 points / +7 at Chivas
6. Tigres 27 points / +11 vs Atlas
Monterrey’s 2-0 win over a listless Cruz Azul on Saturday night hoisted the Rayados into fifth place and a guaranteed bye if they defeat the Chivas next weekend.
Cruz Azul – losers of three of their last four matches – must find a way to score (the Cementeros have been blanked in four of their past five games) against UNAM or they’ll find themselves playing on wildcard weekend.
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The Pumas survived a gritty challenge from the Chivas on Saturday night, getting a late goal from Carlos González to come away from Estadio Akron with a 2-2 draw. So UNAM sits in third place with a comfortable +/– advantage over Cruz Azul and Monterrey.
In other words, a tie at Estadio Azteca keeps UNAM ahead of the Cementeros although such a result would give the Tigres a chance to leapfrog both Mexico City clubs should “Tuca” Ferretti’s men win their Liga MX finales next weekend vs. Atlas.
So Liga MX officials get what they sought when they expanded the playoffs from 8 teams to 12. Battles for seeding and wildcard spots right up to the final whistle of the regular season.
León has the No. 1 seed sewn up and América will finish with a Top 4 bye. The Pumas, Cementeros, Rayados, Tigres, Pachuca, Guadalajara, Santos Laguna and Necaxa have clinched playoff berths. Those last four I cited (Tuzos, Chivas, Guerreros and Rayos) will take part in the wildcard round to open the Liga MX playoffs.
Toluca (20 points), FC Juárez (18), Puebla (17) and Mazatlán (16) are chasing the final two wildcard spots. Juárez figures to have the toughest task since they host América who will be eager to secure the No. 2 seed.
Next. Necaxa clinches wildcard spot. dark
Toluca must tangle with top-seeded León but the Esmeraldas have clinched first place so the Diablos will hope they lack incentive. Puebla hosts last place Atlético de San Luis, while Mazatlán visits Santos Laguna.