Dominant León tops final Liga MX Power Rankings
These Liga MX teams best say ‘wait till next year’
10. Necaxa (—) 7-3-7 24 points
Next to the phrase “winning ugly” in the dictionary is a photo of the 2020 Rayos. Necaxa canned coach Alfredo Sosa after 8 games as the club tumbled down the Liga MX table, spending three weeks in the cellar as their losing streak hit 5 games. A tie at league-leading UNAM on Matchday 12 was the turning point as “Los Electricistas” sprinted to the finish on a 5-game win streak. None of those wins was particularly impressive, but “Profe” Cruz has Necaxa playing hard and with purpose. They’ll give the Chivas a tough time in the wildcard match.
11. Toluca (—) 6-3-8, 21 points
The Diablos won 4 of their first 6 then hit the skids, going 0-2-4 and plummeting from second place to 10th. Veteran Rubens Sambueza then hoisted Toluca out of the doldrums and the Diablos scratched their way into the playoffs despite a leaky defense (no Liga MX playoff team has conceded as many goals – 28).
12. Puebla (—) 6-2-9, 20 points
The Camoteros punched above their weight all season, giving top opponents all they could handle before inevitably coming up short. Puebla’s 9 losses leads all playoff teams and they’ll be a heavy underdog against Monterrey, though coach Juan Reynoso’s club will fight to the end.
13. FC Juárez (—) 4-7-6, 19 points
The Bravos needed a win in their season finale to secure the final Liga MX playoff spot. They scored early and held a 1-0 lead over América as the final seconds ticked off the clock. Then Henry Martín rose above his marker to head home a cross in minute 86 and the dream was shattered.
14. Atlas (+1) 3-5-9, 14 points
The Zorros never could rev up their offense as their strike force underperformed. The reliance on Santos cast-offs did not produce a notable improvement and the Orlegi management group (it owns both Santos and Atlas) now faces a budget crisis as Atlas appears headed for a hefty fine in May unless the club puts up points galore during the Clausura 2021.
15. Mazatlán FC (–1) 4-4-9, 16 points
Mazatlán began to show some spark after Tomás Boy took over from Francisco Palencia after Matchday 13. The team turned in a dud in the finale after learning their slim hopes of reaching the Liga MX playoffs had been punctured. There is hopeful news on the personnel front, however, as striker Camilo Sanvezzo (team-leading 8 goals) is rethinking his decision to leave the club in December.
16. Tijuana (—) 4-3-10, 15 points
The Xolos were a disaster after getting preseason attention as a dark-horse candidate for the title. But the club was hard-hit by Covid-19 and slow to adapt to the tactics of new coach Pablo Guede who might not survive the winter.
17. Querétaro (—) 3-4-10, 13 points
The Gallos overachieved despite the league’s most modest payroll and when reality caught up to the “White Roosters” coach Alex Diego was made the scapegoat. Some wags believe ownership has been preparing to sell out the team all along and replace it with another club it owns – Atlante.
Next. Bravos fall short on final day. dark
18. Atlético de San Luis (—) 3-2-12, 11 points
The Tuneros were a disaster from the get-go and never appeared to have a clue. Key acquisitions never figured out how to fit in and coach Guillermo Vázquez seemed to lose interest half way through the season. “Memo” was given his walking papers and the roster needs an overhaul, too.