Liga MX Power Rankings: Cementeros hold top spot
Still separating contenders from pretenders
6. Santos (–3)
Record: 4-3-2 15 points
Santos fell to 0-2-2 on the road this season, foiled by spectacular goalkeeping. Pumas netminder Alfredo Talavera made 6 spectacular saves and his defense played whack-a-mole, collecting 25 fouls in a determined effort to disrupt the Guerreros offensive flow. Coach Guillermo Almada’s boys have now lost 2 of 3 after opening the Guardianes 2021 with a 3-3-0 mark.
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7. Tigres (—)
Record: 3-2-3 11 points
Since returning from their historic second-place showing at the FIFA Club World Cup, the Tigres have managed a 1-1-2 record against Liga MX opponents. Coach “Tuca” Ferretti is hearing criticism for failing to rotate his players adequately even as his team just participated in its 7th game in 27 days.
8. Tijuana (–1)
Record: 3-4-2 13 points
The Xolos opened the season with a 6-game unbeaten streak, but have not won since, and they looked a bit aimless in their 2-0 home loss to América (the Aguilas’ first win in Tijuana since 2015). Next up is winless Pachuca and that could be just what coach Pablo Guede needs to get “La Jauria” back on the right track.
9. Guadalajara (+1)
Record: 2-5-2 11 points
Guadalajara is doing just enough to fend off the naysayers but mediocrity won’t cut it in Chivas Nation. Striker J.J. Macías missed the first two games of the season, but he has scored in 6 of the 7 since then. And goalie Raúl Gudiño is showing signs of being the answer between the pipes. But something is just not right and coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich has yet to find the solution.
10. Atlas (+4)
Record: 3-3-3 12 points
The Zorros stretched their unbeaten streak to 6 games with a solid performance against Atleti San Luis, digging themselves out of the huge hole they found themselves in after their 0-0-3 start. With a winnable game vs FC Juárez on Saturday, Atlas could find itself poised for a playoff run although the stretch run will not be easy (Puebla, Cruz Azul and the Chivas are still on the calendar).
11. Atlético de San Luis (–2)
Record: 3-2-4 11 points
The Tuneros have been maddeningly inconsistent this season, playing well against Liga MX powerhouses while stumbling around against the also-rans. After an inspiring finish against Tigres in their previous outing, coach Leonel Rocca’s men laid an egg in Estadio Jalisco. There’s no time to feel sorry for themselves as the Tuneros host Toluca Friday night.
12. Querétaro (—)
Record: 3-2-4 11 points
The Gallos Blancos recovered from an embarrassing 3-0 loss at Mazatlán on Matchday 8 to play a nearly perfect game against the Chivas. Sitting back and attacking on the counter produced 20 shots and a 2-1 lead with the clock ticking down. Then disaster struck. The defense was caught napping on a set piece and Querétaro conceded the equalizer in minute 90+4.