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América rises from cellar to claim No. 4 seed

By Thomas Buckley

Try as they might, Cruz Azul just couldn't catch up to América and settled for a scoreless draw at Estadio Azteca. If the Cementeros would have won, they'd have earned a first-round bye in the Liga MX playoffs. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
Try as they might, Cruz Azul just couldn't catch up to América and settled for a scoreless draw at Estadio Azteca. If the Cementeros would have won, they'd have earned a first-round bye in the Liga MX playoffs. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX M17 Saturday
Atlas’ Jairo Torres is carried off the Estadio Jalisco pitch after playing his last regular-season game for the Zorros. Torres will leave Liga MX to join MLS after the playoffs. He scored Atlas’ goal in the club’s 1-1 draw against the Tigres Saturday night. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images) /

América completed its rise from the Liga MX cellar to a Top 4 finish and the first-round playoff bye that comes with it, while holders Atlas joined the Aguilas, Pachuca and the Tigres as teams that earned a ticket directly into the quarterfinals.

Although América saw its six-game win streak come to an end, the scoreless draw against Cruz Azul sees “Los AzulCremas” soar into the postseason on an eight-game unbeaten run. As for the Cementeros, they limp into a wildcard match next weekend where they’ll likely face upstart Atlético de San Luis.

The wildcard bracket is still unsettled as the final two spots remain up for grabs with León (20 points), Toluca (18 points) and UNAM (19 points) chasing playoff invitations on Sunday. León and the Pumas control their own fate.

Mazatlán FC (21 points) presently holds the No. 11 seed, but if León and the Pumas win, the Cañoneros will be brushed aside. “The Purple Gang” has never qualified for a Liga MX playoff tournament so they’ll be rooting for league-leading Pachuca to shut down the Pumas.

Liga MX playoff permutations

Toluca visits León with the home team needing a win to clinch a playoff ticket. If Toluca should come out on top, they’ll get in only if UNAM does not win. Diablos Rojos coach Ignacio Ambriz would like nothing more than to spoil his former team’s trophy aspirations.

Since the Pumas play at noon, the Esmeraldas and the Diablos will know what is needed by the time they kick off at 8 pm. If UNAM were to win, “Los Choriceros” would have to win big since their lousy defense has contributed to a –15 goal differential. That means Toluca would have to overcome an 11-goal deficit to knock Mazatlán out.

In case of a draw at the Camp Nou, the Esmeraldas can claim the final wildcard spot only if UNAM does not win. That’s because León’s –5 goal differential would come up short against Mazatlán’s –4 differential. For their part, the Pumas must win to remain alive in the Liga MX trophy chase.

In Sunday’s other match, Atlético de San Luis hosts Santos Laguna knowing that a win would lift the Tuneros into eighth place, an outcome that would give them the home field in their wildcard match against Cruz Azul. A draw or a loss and San Luis would have to travel to Estadio Azteca next weekend.

There is one other possible scenario. If the Tuneros win by a 4-goal margin they would actually rise to the No. 6 seed. San Luis has only scored more than 2 goals once this season and that came in a 3-2 Matchday 4 victory over América back on Feb. 5.

Back at the top of the table …

Defending Liga MX champs Atlas came within seconds of claiming the No. 3 seed outright, coming up short after a controversial penalty call allowed the Tigres to equalize in stoppage time on Saturday night.

As it turned out, the Zorros held onto the third spot when América failed to defeat Cruz Azul though the Aguilas came close in minute 90+3 when a Bruno Valdez close-range header clanged off the post.

Despite a sluggish start to their title defense, Atlas can still rely on one of the league’s best defenses. “Los Rojinegros” conceded 15 goals, only behind Pachuca (13 goals allowed) who still has a game to play.

Coach Diego Cocca is no doubt pleased that his team gets a week off before continuing its pursuit of back-to-back championships. The Zorros battled injuries in the early part of the season and have gotten healthy at just the right time.

Elsewhere Saturday, Monterrey came within inches of claiming the No. 6 seed when Jesús Gallardo grazed the post in minute 87. The Rayados were beating Tijuana 2-0 when Gallardo misfired but they were in need of a 3-0 win to climb over Guadalajara. Instead, Víctor Manuel Vucetich will have to be satisfied with a No. 7 seed (unless Atlético de San Luis gets goal-happy).

Next. Pachuca tops penultimate Power Rankings. dark

In Querétaro, the host Gallos Blancos crushed FC Juárez 4-0 to momentarily escape a “Relegation” penalty (a 33 million-peso fine for finishing in the bottom three of the “Relegation Standings.” The “Roosters” will have to shell out the big bucks if Toluca defeats León, however.

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