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Liga MX Road Warriors top Power Rankings

By Thomas Buckley

Bryan Angulo's first career goal for Cruz Azul boosted the Cementeros to a 1-0 road win over the defending champs, León. (Photo by Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images)
Bryan Angulo's first career goal for Cruz Azul boosted the Cementeros to a 1-0 road win over the defending champs, León. (Photo by Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX Power Rankings 8
Pumas players lament a goal by former teammate Alejandro Mayorga (second left) during their game in Guadalajara, a 2-1 win for the Chivas. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images) /

It’s soon time to call these clubs also rans

11. Mazatlán FC

Record: 3-1-4    10 points

Tommy Boy’s club had the worst defense in the league going into Matchday 8. Fortunately, Mazatlán was facing the second-worst defense and they made Querétaro pay, shellacking the Gallos Blancos 3-0. League-leading Cruz Azul is next.

12. Querétaro

Record: 3-1-4    10 points

The Gallos have conceded 14 goals in eight games and a hungry Chivas team will be paying a visit to Estadio Corregidora on Wednesday. If coach Héctor Altamirano doesn’t fix his defense, don’t expect “El Rebaño Sagrado” to show any pity.

13. León

Record: 2-1-4     7 points

The champs are facing the toughest stretch of their schedule without skipper Luis Montes. “El Chapo” is the conductor of the Esmeraldas’ high-octane offense, but “La Fiera” has underperformed even when he’s been available. If they don’t start scoring soon, they could find themselves on the playoff bubble before the month is out.

14. Atlas

Record: 2-3-3      9 points

The Zorros appeared to be chained in the cellar after opening the Guardianes 2021 with three straight losses. But the club has not lost since and coach Diego Rocca is recapturing job security. They could actually be entertaining playoff dreams by next week with wins over Atlético de San Luis and FC Juárez.

15. FC Juárez

Record: 2-2-3     8 points

The Bravos made a game of it against Santos, scoring twice late, but the 3-0 deficit was simply too much to overcome. Coach Luis Fernando Tena does not have much by way of options on his bench so he knows he must get more out of his starters.

16. Necaxa

Record: 1-3-4      6 points

As I tweeted during Necaxa’s underwhelming performance against Puebla, what the Rayos lack in talent they make up for with tactical disorganization and poor execution. “El Profe” Cruz would not give his players passing grades at this point.

17. UNAM

Record: 1-2-5      5 points

The Pumas are winless in their past 6 but at least they ended their scoring drought at 484 minutes. Andrés Lillini had not seen his team score since Matchday 2, a drought that ended early in UNAM’s 2-1 loss at Guadalajara.

Next. Last two unbeatens fall. dark

18. Pachuca

Record: 0-3-5      3 points

The Tuzos are the only Liga MX team without a win this season. Coach Paulo Pezzolano won’t survive this “doble jornada” if his team does not defeat Necaxa Thursday night. Owner Jesús Martínez probably has Gabriel Caballero on speed dial.

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