Running out of time for a playoff push
13. Mazatlán FC (—)
Record: 3-2-5 11 points
The Purple Gang played the visiting Chivas to a draw but continue to struggle on offense. Even with Camilo Sanvezzo likely to return to the starting line-up, Tommy Boy’s team will be hard-pressed to come up with points at the Tigres this weekend. Worse, Mazatlán has lost all 4 of its road games thus far.
14. León (—)
Record: 2-2-6 8 points
The Esmeraldas are getting into the habit of dropping points late. They conceded the winner to América in minute 90+2 over the weekend, then gave up the game-tying penalty kick to Monterrey in a make-up game. The defending Liga MX champs have just 2 wins through 10 games and look like a shadow of the team that went 12-4-1 last season.
15. UNAM (—)
Record: 2-2-6 8 points
The Pumas have the fewest goals in Liga MX this season (5), and have scored in only 3 of their 10 games thus far. Coach Andrés Lillini recognizes that his team’s performance is a far cry from the opportunistic team that marched to the Guardianes 2020 Finals just three months ago.
16. FC Juárez (—)
Record: 2-2-5 8 points
The Bravos might be looking for a new coach if Luis Fernando Tena can’t figure out how to notch a “W” this weekend against the Pumas, the league’s worst offense. However, Juárez boasts the worst defense in Liga MX, allowing 19 goals through 9 games.
17. Pachuca (+1)
Record: 1-4-5 7 points
The Tuzos earned their first win of the season to climb out of the cellar and the 2-1 win over the Xolos might have saved coach Paulo Pezzolano’s job … for the time being. Pachuca visits Toluca then hosts the Tigres before the FIFA break and a failure to earn points could send Pezzolano to the unemployment line.
18. Necaxa (–1)
Record: 1-4-5 7 points
The Rayos are deservedly in the cellar thanks to a –7 goal differential built on the back of an 8-game winless streak in which José Guadalupe Cruz’s team has been outscored 7-14.