The final weekend of the Liga MX season offered few surprises – León’s failure to make the playoffs was the biggest – when considering the form the teams showed down the stretch.
Four-game win streaks for Guadalajara and Mazatlán FC hoisted those two clubs into the postseason while América’s eight-game unbeaten streak made clear the Aguilas belonged near the top of the chart.
Adherence to form also applies to the Playing for 90 Power Rankings as evidenced by the fact that seven of the Top 9 teams were unmoved in the latest list. And only León among last week’s top 12 failed to make the playoffs while Mazatlán FC was the only team to move more than one spot.
Without further ado, here are the final Liga MX Power Rankings for the Clausura 2022 season.
League-leading Pachuca is cream of Liga MX crop
As always, the figure in parentheses after each club’s name reflects the movement of that team compared to the previous rankings. This time around, we also include records (win-draw-loss), goals for, goals against and point differential.
1. Pachuca (—)
12-2-3, 30 GF, 15 GA, +15
The Tuzos were tied for the Liga MX lead in goals scored and tied for fewest goals allowed. That’s a winning combination. Coach Guillermo Almada does not try to apply pressure all over the pitch like he did at Santos Laguna. Instead he relies on speed in transition and vertical attacking tactics. A solid back line and top-notch netminding from Oscar Ustari makes Pachuca a clear-cut No. 1.
2. América (—)
7-5-5, 24 GF, 17 GA, +7
An eight-game unbeaten streak down the stretch – featuring six consecutive wins – placed the Aguilas where most preseason projections had them – in the Top 3. The players responded to interim coach Fernando Ortiz – after constant hectoring from former coach Santiago Solari – and the return to health of defender Bruno Valdez and midfielder Pedro Aquino steadied the defense. Still missing is a reliable goal-scorer, but playmakers Diego Valdés and Álvaro Fidalgo have kept the Eagles soaring.
3. Tigres (—)
10-3-4, 30 GF, 20 GA, +10
A month ago the Tigres were the class of Liga MX, riding a nine-game unbeaten streak (during which they scored 23 goals) into a showdown against the second-place Tuzos. Since that 2-1 loss at Pachuca, the Tigres have gone 2-2-1 and have been hit by the injury bug. Coach Miguel Herrera has “Los Felinos” playing a more vertical style than we’re used to seeing and he has a deep bench to play with. Maintaining the No. 2 seed should allow the Tigres to work their way back to top form as the playoffs continue.
4. Atlas (+1)
7-6-4, 21 GF, 15 GA, +6
The defending Liga MX champs got off to a slow start as star striker Julio Furch dealt with lingering Covid issues. Since working his way back into shape, he and Julián Quiñones have begun to work their magic while the sturdy defense that helped them hoist the trophy last season remains the Zorros’ calling card.
5. Puebla (–1)
7-5-5, 25 GF, 19 GA, +6
The Camoteros were the surprise of Liga MX in the first half of the Clausura 2022 (they did not lose until Matchday 10), but they’ve hit the skids since. Nicolás Larcamón watched his team struggle to the finish line with a 1-2-5 record, scoring only 8 goals. “La Franja” remains a tactically competent team, but winger Maxi Araujo has struggled to produce and neither Fernando Aristeguieta nor Guillermo Martínez has laid claim to the starting center forward spot.