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Favorites struggle early but CCL provides distraction

By Thomas Buckley

Santiago Solari and América have to take care of business this week or the Aguilas could be searching for a new manager. (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Santiago Solari and América have to take care of business this week or the Aguilas could be searching for a new manager. (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Liga MX M5 CCL
Javier Aguirre appears to be channeling Vince Lombardi, adopting a “What in the hell is going on out there?” pose during a recent Liga MX match. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

Title contenders off to slow start

Nearly one-third of the way through the Liga MX season, three preseason title favorites are clumped together in the bottom half of the table while Puebla and Atlas share top honors for now.

Way down in double-digits in the standings you can find Monterrey (11th), León (12th) and América (13th). That’s right. The team with the biggest payroll in Liga MX, last season’s losing finalist and last season’s No. 1 seed, respectively, are trailing FC Juárez (9th) and Necaxa (10th) after this weekend’s Matchday 5 action.

To be fair, Monterrey has two games in hand after its Matchday 4 and 5 games were postponed while the Rayados were stumbling around the United Arab Emirates taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup. And América travels to Mazatlán Wednesday to take on the Cañoneros in a make-up game postponed from Matchday 2 because Mazatlán’s stadium was still undergoing renovations.

So although it’s premature to count out these two perennial contenders, there is no denying that Monterrey’s Javier Aguirre and América’s Santiago Solari are on the hottest seats in Liga MX.

Solari earned a mild reprieve when the Aguilas defeated Santos Laguna 3-2 on Saturday but he has been told he must collect 4 more points by the weekend (after Mazatlán FC, América hosts Pachuca on Sunday) or face dismissal. For his part, Aguirre must win the league title or he will be pink-slipped.

Four Liga MX teams chase Champions League glory

Before Matchday 6 kicks off on Friday, fans of four Liga MX teams will be cheering their teams on in search of regional hegemony as the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 gets under way.

Mexican teams have won 16 CCL titles on the trot with Monterrey claiming last year’s trophy (and earning the right to participate in the afore-mentioned Club World Cup where it finished in fifth place).

The teams defending Liga MX honor this time around are León, UNAM, Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul. The Round of 16 is played on a home-and-home basis and the away-goals rule will determine ties, if possible. If the clubs are all even after two legs, the series goes directly to a penalty shoot-out.

The first leg of all eight series will be played this week with the return matches set for next week.

CF Montreal visits Santos Laguna on Tuesday while the other three Liga MX teams are in action on Wednesday: Cruz Azul at Canada’s Forge FC, UNAM at Costa Rica’s Saprissa and León at Guatemala’s Guastatoya.

The other four Round of 16 matches are as follows: New York FC at Guatemala’s Santos de Guápiles on Tuesday; Seattle Sounders FC at Nicaragua’s Motagua and Colorado Rapids at Guatemala’s Comunicaciones on Thursday; and New England Revolution at Haiti’s Cavaly on Friday.

Liga MX news and notes

The Chivas have been getting their share of bad news lately, and this week the team found out it will be without captain Jesús Molina for the rest of the season. The veteran midfielder tore knee ligaments during an exhibition match against Atlanta United on Sunday.

This bit of hard luck comes on the heels of reports that star winger Alexis Vega will not sign an extension with the Chivas. The Olympic bronze medalist is out of contract in December and is prepared to walk away on a free, leaving Guadalajara empty-handed.

Vega has been upset with the front office’s failure to arrange a transfer to Europe and the initial Chivas contract extension offer was not to his liking so he has apparently cut off negotiations.

And finally, Chivas fans have been clamoring to see J.J. Macías back in the starting line-up after his La Liga adventure was cut short last month. The 22-year-old striker reluctantly returned to Guadalajara from Getafe after his loan deal was rescinded prematurely. Unfortunately, Macías is not likely to see a Liga MX field for another month as he arrived from Spain with some lingering injury concerns.

Surprises continue in Liga MX. dark. Next

In Mexico City, the Pumas are already in talks with Alfredo Talavera who is out of contract this summer. UNAM is offering a one-year extension but the 39-year-old goalie wants a two-year deal. The Pumas have to tread a fine line because there is sure to be a Liga MX team or two that would gladly sign the veteran keeper.

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