Liga MX Power Rankings: Cruz Azul back at No. 1
With the FIFA break over and El Tri crowned as champs of the Concacaf Olympics qualifying tournament, Liga MX clubs turn their attention to the stretch run of the Guardianes 2021 tournament.
Matchday 13 kicks off Friday night, beginning a mad five-weekend dash to the playoffs sprinkled with midweek Concacaf Champions League dates for four teams.
With no team eliminated from the playoffs yet and only one spot clinched (Cruz Azul is guaranteed a wild-card berth), there still could be considerable movement in the Liga MX table, and by extension, in the Playing for 90 Power Rankings.
As proof of this, Matchday 12 did produce some dramatic changes in the rankings as both León (up 6 spots) and Querétaro (down 6) saw their fortunes move in new directions. Meanwhile, Pachuca and the Pumas climbed 4 rungs as they seek a return to the Liguilla.
Cementeros leapfrog América
Cruz Azul’s 3-2 triumph over a streaking Atlas club was enough to propel “La Máquina” back into first place in our Power Rankings after a one-week absence.
With two sublime finishes from Jonathan Rodríguez, Cruz Azul extended its franchise-record win streak to 10 games and maintained its position atop the Liga MX table, just in front of cross-town rivals América. The Aguilas slipped back into second after struggling to escape the Kraken with a 1-0 win over Mazatlán FC.
These two Mexico City teams are headed for a monumental clash on April 17 but neither can afford to look ahead since both have key Liga MX matches as well as international dates to attend to.
And we don’t want to look ahead too far either, so let’s get to the matter at hand – the Liga MX Power Rankings after 12 weeks.
The figure in parentheses after the name of the club indicates the team’s movement related to the previous Power Rankings.
1. Cruz Azul (+1)
Record: 10-0-2 30 points
The Cementeros are making (yet another) bid to end their nearly 24-year Liga MX trophy drought with a rookie coach at the helm. Juan Reynoso has proven adept at rotating his line-up and making in-game adjustments. At the risk of jinxing them, the league leaders should have no problem extending their streak to 11 wins as they visit last place FC Juárez on Saturday.
2. América (–1)
Record: 9-1-2 28 points
As the Aguilas have become more familiar with the demands of new coach Santiago Solari, they have become more formidable. They lack flash in attack, but their application of the tactical demands imposed by the former Real Madrid coach show on the back end. América has six shut-outs (in 11 games) and have yet to concede more than one goal in a game.
3. Monterrey (+1)
Record: 5-4-2 19 points
The Rayados have been sidelined since March 13 since their Matchday 12 contest vs the Chivas was postponed but several of their players kept busy on national team duty. A visit from the Tuneros of Atlético de San Luis on Saturday should help ease them back into form.