Liga MX Power Rankings: Cementeros hold top spot
After 9 Liga MX games in 54 hours, Midweek Madness produced a bit of a shuffle in the Playing for 90 Power Rankings. But there’s little time to dissect what happened as Matchday 10 kicks off right away.
There were a couple surprises – Puebla stunning the defending champs with two late goals in León, Toluca shocking the Tigres at “El Volcán” – but mostly results went according to form.
Atlas was the biggest mover, climbing 4 spots, while Santos Laguna tumbled down 3 rungs. Meanwhile, last season’s Liga MX finalists – León and UNAM – remain in the bottom third of the Rankings.
No rest for the weary in Liga MX
So before Matchday 10 kicks off, let’s get to it. Here are the Playing for 90 Liga MX Power Rankings as we head into the second half of the Guardianes 2021 season.
The figure in parenthesis after each team’s name represents the movement in the rankings compared to the previous Rankings. The rest is self-explanatory.
1. Cruz Azul (—)
Record: 7-0-2 21 points
The Cementeros won their 7th consecutive match with a tidy performance against 10-man Mazatlán. During the streak, Cruz Azul has beaten Club World Cup runner-up (Tigres), then-league-leading Toluca and defending champion León to climb to top of table. Up next is a visit to UNAM, the site of their playoff flame-out last season. Coach Juan Reynoso hopes to demonstrate at the CU that he has repaired the damaged psyche of his players.
2. América (—)
Record: 6-1-2 19 points
The Aguilas throttled the Xolos, shutting down one of the most dangerous offenses in Liga MX (Tijuana had scored at least 2 goals in 4 of its previous 5 heading into its match against América). “Los Azulcremas” might not be playing with the flair that their fans prefer, but the team is collecting points while becoming more and more familiar with the demands of rookie coach Santi Solari.
3. Toluca (+1)
Record: 5-2-2 17 points
The Diablos were one of the worst defensive teams in Liga MX last season, but the addition of midfielders Claudia Baeza and José Juan Vázquez has reduced space for opponents without conceding too much on the other end. Alexis Canelo moved atop the league scoring race after scoring the winner against the Tigres and playmaker Rubens Sambueza is still giving teams fits at 37.
4. Monterrey (+2)
Record: 4-3-1 15 points
Have the Rayados finally awakened from their slumber? The Liga MX giants appeared to be snoozing throughout the month of February, scoring only 3 goals in 5 matches while posting a dismal 1-3-1 record. Their 6-goal outburst was long in coming, but let’s be serious … it came against FC Juárez. With 3 games in 8 days – ending with a real test at Cruz Azul on March 13 – Monterrey can build some momentum for the home stretch.
5. Puebla (—)
Record: 4-3-2 15 points
The Camoteros are for real! Rookie coach Nicolás Larcamón has his club playing disciplined, two-way football for the entire 90 minutes. Puebla is really dialed in. They understand the tactical design and execute efficiently. Their game-winning goal against León in minute 90+5 was a thing of beauty.