Final Power Rankings: Tuzos No. 1, Aguilas No. 2

Nothing left to do but watch playoffs on TV

13. León (–1)

5-6-6, 17 GF, 22 GA, –5

One of the biggest disappointments in Liga MX this season, the Esmeraldas didn’t even make the playoffs after reaching the Finals last season. It may be time to part ways with some of the team legends that led “La Fiera” to three Finals and one Liga MX title over the previous six seasons. Ownership canned coach Ariel Holan after Matchday 15 but the locker room was already in rebellion over the manager’s tactical and line-up miscues.

14. Santos Laguna (–1)

5-5-7, 25 GF, 25 GA, 0

The Guerreros struggled under Pedro Caixinha – the coach who led the franchise to the Clausura 2015 title – and the prickly Portuguese was unceremoniously fired after six games. “Los Laguneros” enjoyed a brief midseason revival but ran out of gas down the stretch, going 0-2-2 before winning the season finale – after they had already been eliminated from playoff contention. This team has some promising youngsters but ownership has some decisions to make, including who will be the team’s manager next season.

15. Toluca (–1)

5-4-8, 21 GF, 36 GA, –15

The Diablos Rojos were an embarrassment this season, primarily because of terrible personnel decisions. GM Antonio Naelson “Sinha” has some questions to answer while coach Ignacio Ambriz must wonder what he got himself into. “Nacho” was seemingly benching and/or suspending players on a weekly basis, allowing little time to install his complex offensive system. “Los Choriceros” must overhaul their roster and do so fast. Ownership might also remake its front office because recent acquisitions flopped, sinking Toluca into “Relegation Sanction” territory (33 million pesos worth, to be exact).

16. Querétaro (+1)

3-8-6, 18 GF, 21 GA, –3

The Gallos Blancos organization is in even greater disarray than Toluca’s. Liga MX ordered Querétaro ownership to put the franchise on the market and levied hefty penalties related to the horrific crowd violence at a home game in March. The team might be sold by the end of this month, but players and coaches are uncertain about their future.

17. Tijuana (–1)

4-5-8, 14 GF, 26 GA, –12

The Xolos must rebuild yet again only two years after completely remaking its roster and hiring Pablo Guede away from Monarcas Morelia. Tijuana has had four managers since then and sunk into the “Relegation Zone” after another disappointing campaign (a fine of 47 million pesos awaits). There appears to be a nice blend of youth and talent on hand, but winning has not been a frequent outcome. Coach Sebastián Méndez is still on the job, but the team’s performance should reflect upon him.

18. FC Juárez (—)

3-2-12, 10 GF, 28 GA, –18

The Bravos have one of the lowest payrolls in Liga MX and that is evident on game day. Even legendary Ricardo Ferretti could not manage more than 3 victories and he threw up his hands in disgust as soon as the whistle blew after his team’s 4-0 loss at Querétaro. Ownership will have to shell out 80 million pesos for finishing last in the “Relegation Standings” and they are also looking at a huge financial penalty related to the (controversial) purchase of the club. That doesn’t bode well for greater investment in personnel next season.