Champs and runners-up only treading water
5. Santos Laguna
11 points, 2-5-0 record, +5 goal differential
The Guerreros are unbeaten, but last season’s losing finalist only has two wins. Coach Guillermo Almada has turned to promising academy players to fill in for midfielder Alan Cervantes (Gold Cup duty) and forward Eduardo Aguirre (Olympics). Keep an eye on Jordan Carrillo, 19, who could follow Santi Muñoz to Europe soon.
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6. Cruz Azul
10 points, 2-4-1 record,
+3 goal differential
Are the reigning Liga MX champs suffering a hangover? Coach Juan Reynoso has been forced to shuffle his line-up quite a bit as injuries and absences have plagued the Cementeros. Left back Adrián Aldrete is due to come out of sick bay (offseason ankle surgery) and his presence would solve some problems.
7. Monterrey
11 points, 2-5-0 record,
+4 goal differential
The Rayados are the third unbeaten Liga MX club, and they merit consideration for a higher ranking. Moreso than other teams, however, they emerge from the FIFA break with several tired stars who played heavy minutes with El Tri (César Montes, Rogelio Funes Mori and Carlos Rodríguez). That could make Saturday’s clash at Atlas a bit of a challenge.
8. Atlas
10 points, 2-4-1 record, +2 goal differential
The Zorros have built back nicely after being lost in the depths of the Liga MX table for several seasons. A solid roster with a nice mix of youngsters (Jeremy Márquez, Jonathan Herrera) and vets (Julio Furch, Aldo Rocha, Hugo Nervo) should have Atlas in the playoff hunt again.
9. Guadalajara
9 points, 2-3-2 record, –1 goal differential
The Chivas are a bit of a mess and coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich has one foot out the door. An ankle injury while on national team duty will sideline winger Alexis Vega and “El Rebaño Sagrado” must find someone else to step up (Uriel Antuna? “Canelo” Angulo? Isaac Brizuela?).
10. Atlético de San Luis
9 points, 2-3-1 record, +1 goal differential
The Tuneros are punching above their weight so far, in no way resembling the cellar-dwelling squad of last season despite selling off top scorer Nico Ibáñez. Germán Berterame and Andrés Vomberger are supplying offense, while veteran keeper Marcelo Barovero has returned to Liga MX.