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Hapless threesome will battle to wire to avoid stiffest 'relegation' penalty

Tijuana win means Juárez and Mazatlán still at risk of finishing at wrong end of Liga MX standings

By Thomas Buckley

Mazatlán FC's Gustavo del Prete laments a missed opportunity during the team's 2-0 loss to FC Juárez. The result means the Cañoneros and Bravos will be fighting in their season finales to avoid the stiffest Liga MX Relegation penalty.
Mazatlán FC's Gustavo del Prete laments a missed opportunity during the team's 2-0 loss to FC Juárez. The result means the Cañoneros and Bravos will be fighting in their season finales to avoid the stiffest Liga MX Relegation penalty. / Sergio Mejia/GettyImages
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A quick peek at the Liga MX basement

The quicker we put Friday’s Liga MX games behind us, the better.

Of the six teams in action, four — Tijuana, FC Juárez, Mazatlán FC, Atlético de San Luis — can be found at the bottom of the Relegation Standings. Not surprisingly, these four are also in the bottom third of the Clausura 2024 table which also features Puebla – also in action Friday – dead last.

Wait … what are the Relegations Standings, you ask?

As there is currently no relegation/promotion system in Liga MX, a Relegation Standings was created to determine the three worst teams after each Clausura season. These three also-rans are forced to pay a hefty fine to remain in the top-flight league.  

The standings are calculated by points-per-game earned over the previous six seasons and the penalties levied are as such: 18th place – 80 million pesos; 17th place – 47 million pesos; 16th place – 33 million pesos.

Entering the weekend, Tijuana (18th), FC Juárez (17th) and Mazatlán FC (16th) were guaranteed of finishing in the “relegation cellar,” so they are now battling over the amount of money they’ll have to fork over after the season.

In Friday’s first match, visiting FC Juárez earned a 2-0 win at Mazatlán FC, improving their chances of avoiding the biggest penalty. The road win momentarily lifts them into 12th place in the Clausura 2024 table, but more importantly puts them 1 point from escaping the 80 million-peso payout. The Bravos only need a draw in the season-finale to finish 17th, while a win could lift them into 16th.

Mazatlán knew that a draw would have secured 16th place in the Relegation Standings, but a minute 40 red card doomed the Cañoneros. The loss means Mazatlán must get a result next week at Pachuca to protect the owner’s pocket book. Or hope that both Tijuana and FC Juárez lose.

Meanwhile, Tijuana’s 3-1 victory over Puebla means the Xolos can avoid the relegation basement by winning at Tigres next weekend while Mazatlán loses at Pachuca or FC Juárez loses to León.

As for Puebla, the loss clinched last place in the Clausura 2024 standings for the Camoteros who have just 5 points from 16 matches (1-2-13). Despite its historically bad season, "La Franja" is well above the payout line in the Relegation Standings. But they'll be contenders for the cellar a year from now.

All exciting tidbits and permutations if tracking who finishes last is your thing.

In Friday’s third match, Toluca bounced back from last week’s 5-1 shellacking at América by pounding Atlético de San Luis by the same scoreline.

The Diablos responded to being knocked out of first place by the defending Liga MX champs with considerable flair, scoring twice in the first half and adding three more after the break.

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Jean Meneses contributed a brace, Alexis Vega had a goal and two assists and “Los Choriceros” rediscovered their offensive firepower and solidified their hold on second place in the Liga MX table with 32 points.

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