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Liga MX Power Rankings: Cruz Azul back at No. 1

By Thomas Buckley

Cruz Azul extended its win streak to 10 games and reclaimed the top spot in the Liga MX Power Rankings. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Cruz Azul extended its win streak to 10 games and reclaimed the top spot in the Liga MX Power Rankings. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX Power Rankings 12
Midfield wizard Luis Montes is poised to lead León’s title defense after returning from an injury that saw him miss three games. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

In the hunt for a first-round bye

4. Santos (–1)

Record: 6-3-3      21 points

Coach Guillermo Aldama and his crew were hit with tough news last week as their midfield Guerrero, Fernando Gorriarán, suffered a season-ending injury. The “Uruguayan Guardiola” will have to maintain a steady hand on his callow roster to guide them through some tough times. Alan Cervantes will have to take on greater responsibility in midfield, while youngsters like Santi Muñoz, Jesús Ocejo and goalie Carlos Acevedo must grow up quickly.

5. Toluca (+)

Record: 5-4-3      19 points

The Diablos Rojos are anxious to avoid another late-season collapse but they’ll need the ageless wonder Rubens Sambueza to stay healthy in order to claim a favorable playoff seeding. “Sambu” missed Toluca’s last match and “los Choriceros” had to settle for a 4-4 draw against Puebla. A thrilling match, to be sure, but coach Hernán Cristante hates to cede points at home, particularly with a man advantage for 40 minutes (during which Puebla scored all 4 goals).

6. Atlas (–1)

Record: 5-3-4      18 points

The Zorros saw their 8-game unbeaten streak erased by Cruz Azul but there’s no time to mope with playoff contenders Tijuana and León up next on the calendar. “Los Rojinegros” are desperate to end their 4-year playoff drought but they’ll have to climb out of the Relegation Zone in order to be eligible for the post-season.

7. León (+6)

Record: 4-2-6      14 points

The defending champs are roaring again. After a stumbling start followed by a midseason lull, the Esmeraldas’ offense is purring again. The return to health of skipper Luis Montes sparked the modest 2-game win streak and revved up the engine, but the FIFA break will have allowed coach Ignacio Ambriz to tinker under the hood a bit more.

8. Tijuana (+2)

Record: 4-4-4      16 points

The Xolos got a much-needed win last time out to end a 5-game winless streak, but the aforementioned FIFA break denied them a chance to carry momentum forward. They’ll visit Atlas knowing a road win would put them back in the hunt for a top-6 seeding.

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