Aguilas still perched atop Liga MX Power Rankings

There were a number of surprises on Matchday 10, but only one – Atlético de San Luis winning at Toluca – produced significant impact on this week’s Liga MX Power Rankings.

Atlas defeated León but we had the Zorros ranked above the Esmeraldas last week and Puebla’s draw against Cruz Azul is understandable since the Cementeros – the reigning Liga MX champs – played the final 35 minutes with 10 men.

The scoreless draw produced by the Tigres and Pumas raised an eyebrow or two, but injuries have taken a toll on the northern giants and Miguel Herrera is discovering that the roster he inherited does not fit well with his preferred tactical style.

All that being said, this past week’s results impacted only eight teams (Atlético de San Luis and the Tigres being the biggest movers) while the other 10 Liga MX teams remained unmoved. As always, the figure in parentheses after the team’s name indicates the movement (up, down, or same) as compared to the previous Power Rankings

América stays atop Liga MX Rankings … for now

1. América (—)

Some say Santiago Solari will start feeling the heat of the Aguilas see their winless streak reach three. They visit Pachuca, the team that knocked Solari and “Los AzulCremas” out of the playoffs last season. América has faced the Tuzos 16 times since 2015 with an average of 4 goals a game. This could be an explosive contest.

2. Monterrey (+1)

The Rayados won twice last week, blanking high-scoring Toluca (in a game moved up from Matchday 11) and edging Santos on the road. They’re off until Friday when they visit FC Juárez who are led by a familiar foe, former Tigres coach “Tuca” Ferretti.

3. Atlas (+1)

The Zorros are making believers out of many, winning three straight by a 7-1 margin. Diego Cocca has his team playing well, founded upon the stingiest defense in Liga MX (4 goals allowed in 10 games)

4. Toluca (–2)

No sooner had the Diablos climbed into a first-place tie atop the Liga MX table than they forgot how to score. The league’s most potent offense scored just once in losing twice last week.

5. Atlético de San Luis (+3)

The Tuneros stunned Toluca Sunday, strutting into Estadio Nemesio Díez and stealing all 3 points. With his 2 goals against the Diablos Rojos, Germán Berterame now sits atop the Liga MX scoring chart with 8.

6. León (—)

The Esmeraldas defeated MLS power Seattle to win the Leagues Cup, but that doesn’t concern us here. Maybe “La Fiera” had a bit of a hangover because they looked out of sorts against Atlas.

7. Cruz Azul (—)

The reigning Liga MX champs just can’t find the same magic, a mix of complacency, injuries and absences conspiring to slow their title defense. A Yoshimar Yotún red card forced them to settle for a tie against visiting Puebla in a game they had in their grasp.

8. Tigres (–3)

More than the listless offensive performance against the lowly Pumas, the three-rung decline is based on the growing injury list Miguel Herrera has to deal with. Leading scorer Nico López had surgery to remove his appendix last week while winger Florian Thauvin limped off the pitch Saturday with a hammy and is likely lost for a month.

9. Santos Laguna (—)

Are the Guerreros chafing under the irascible Guillermo Almada? The high-intensity pressure he demands has produced neither the opportunities or the results it did last season when “Los Laguneros” reached the Liga MX final.

10. Puebla (+1)

The Camoteros refuse to lose, but 6 draws in 10 games is not going to earn enough points to secure a post-season berth.

10. Guadalajara (—)

The Chivas played with more energy under new coach Marcelo Michel Leaño, but a club claiming to be a giant can’t be celebrating ties even if it does come in a “Super Clásico.”

12. Pachuca (—)

The Tuzos have lost 5 games already and though they have a game in hand, it’s getting late in the season. A visit to league-leading América and a road game in Puebla are next, followed by the October FIFA break. Is Paulo Pezzolano fighting for his job?

13. FC Juárez (+1)

The Bravos have won all three games this month, including a 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul. Unfortunately, those were their first three victories of the season so they still have ground to make up.

14. Mazatlán FC (–1)

The Cañoneros have not won since July 30 (yet they’d be in the playoffs if the season ended right now). A win at home today against FC Juárez could help revive the team’s spirits.

15. Querétaro (—)

The Gallos are last in the Liga MX table, but with a game in hand. New coach Leo Ramos will have had 10 days to get his club ready to face Guadalajara on Wednesday.

16. Necaxa (—)

The Rayos axed coach Memo Vázquez after another lackluster performance. Former Morelia and Tijuana coach Pablo Guede has been tasked with changing the team’s fortunes.

17. Tijuana (—)

The Xolos just can’t get out of their own way. A strong showing against Santos on Matchday 8 was followed by two stinkers (4-1 loss at San Luis and a scoreless draw at home against Mazatlán FC).

18. UNAM (—)

The Pumas are in complete disarray though claiming a point against the Tigres was a moral victory. They next face América in Sunday’s “Clásico Capitalino.”