Playing for 90
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Liga MX Power Rankings 12
Puebla scored four second-half goals against Toluca despite playing with 10 men, earning a thrilling 4-4 draw on the road. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images) /

Jostling for wild-card spots

9. Puebla (–2)

Record: 4-5-3      17 points

The Camoteros are the surprise of the season and their ranking here might appear to be a slight since “La Franja” sits a comfortable 7th in the standings. That could change, though, as none of their next four opponents sits higher than 11th and their final match is at home against the wounded Guerreros of Santos Laguna.

10. Pachuca (+4)

Record: 3-4-5      14 points

The Tuzos waited 10 weeks to get their first win of the Guardianes 2021 and they have not lost since (OK, that’s only three games …). Coach Paulo Pezzolano somehow held onto his job despite the 0-4-5 start and suddenly Pachuca is thinking playoffs. Much will be learned from Sunday’s visit to UNAM, the team that eliminated the Tuzos from the playoffs last season.

11. Mazatlán FC (–1)

Record: 4-2-6      14 points

The Purple Gang stunned the Tigres on Matchday 11 then gave América all it could handle heading into the FIFA break, but inconsistency has been the club’s bugaboo (losses to FC Juárez and Atlético de San Luis). Coach Tomás Boy knows his club must start collecting points to remain in the playoff hunt. Upcoming matches against Puebla and Tijuana will be key tests.

12. UNAM (+4)

Record: 3-3-6      12 points

Last year’s finalists finally got a road win but it didn’t come without controversy as Atlético de San Luis saw three goals annulled in the Pumas’ 1-0 victory. And Juan Ignacio Dinenno’s game-winner came from the penalty spot in minute 81. Coach Andrés Lillini is managing the weakest offense in Liga MX and “los Auriazules” are at risk of missing the playoffs altogether.

13. Tigres (–2)

Record: 3-3-5      12 points

Did the Tigres come back from the FIFA Club World Cup too big for their britches? After making history by becoming the first Liga MX team to reach the Final (losing to Bayern Munich by 1-0 on a disputed goal), coach “Tuca” Ferretti and his ambush of Tigers have fallen flat on their collective faces. A visit to struggling Querétaro should help, but América comes calling after that. And the “Clásico Regiomontano” awaits on Matchday 16.

Home/Liga MX