Liga MX: VLMX Power Rankings – Jornada 10
Jornada 10 left a lot to be desired. The marquee match-ups were largely uneventful and awful off-the-pitch news dominated.
With the bad press of the violence outside of the Clasico Regio, the attention was rightly diverted from the play on the pitch. Unfortunately, the games of the weekend didn’t impress much. With seven matches left in the Apertura, the table is starting to take shape.
Here’s how we think everyone is playing currently.
The Rankings
1. Cruz Azul (+0)
Tom Buckley (TB): Steady, but unconvincing win over Atlas keeps Cementeros atop table.
2. Club America (+1)
Garett Kerber (GK): Another win, despite a red card to Edson Alvarez, keeps America just three points out from the top of the table. With the SuperClasico this Sunday, America will need to have their bench step up to make up for the loss of Alvarez, but their resilience has been impressive thus far.
3. Santos Laguna (-1)
GK: Still undefeated at home, but a draw against lowly Veracruz can’t be viewed as a good result.
4. Toluca ( +1)
GK: Struggled a little bit with Necaxa, but ultimately got the job done. They’ll be happy to see Alexis Vega get back on the scoresheet, though. Hoping that continues.
TB: Dominant second-half performance boosts them into Top 4.
5. Pumas (-1)
TB: Tough to generate any offense on a waterlogged pitch.
6. Tigres (+0)
TB: Tigres continue to sleepwalk toward the postseason.
GK: As boring as the Clasico Regio was, Tigres has to be happy with their week: Winning Champeones Cup and then drawing against heated rivals Monterrey on short rest.
7. Monterrey (-1)
TB: With injuries piling up, Rayados are in survival mode.
GK: The poor play continues, though injuries certainly have something to do with that.
8. Chivas (+1)
TB: Bad draw at home. Maybe they were looking ahead to the SuperClásico.
GK: The story of this Chivas team seems to be following up encouraging performances with bad ones. That goes out the window when it is Clasico week, however.
9. Queretaro (+1)
GK: They remain in a playoff position but they’ll need to snap out of the lull they’re in and score some goals soon.
TB: Lucky to earn a draw but the point keeps them in a playoff spot … for now..
10. Pachuca (-2)
GK: Two red cards and a loss to a punchless Tijuana side does not bode well for the Tuzos moving ahead.
TB: Tuzos crash back to earth. Need to find some scoring punch..
11. Monarcas (+0)
TB: Must find a way to turn around the season now. Lobos up next.
12. Club Tijuana (+3)
TB: Three straight 1-0 wins suddenly has Xolos in playoff hunt.
GK: It feels odd having them up this high in the rankings but their defense keeps them in enough games to do some damage.
13. Puebla (-1)
GK: Valiant effort against America. Ultimately, they lack the talent to go too far.
TB: Crushing loss to 10-man América in injury time. Unforgiveable.
14. Necaxa (-1)
TB: Looked good in first 45 minutes. Forgot to play defense in second half.
15. Leon (-1)
GK: Leon is in free-fall and losing to Lobos, whatever the circumstances, is crushing.
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16. Veracruz (+0)
TB: Really impressed with never-say-die attitude despite disastrous results.
17. Lobos (+0)
GK: A win certainly helps, but they’ll need a few more to stay up.
TB: Wonderful road win, but still have giant uphill climb to avoid relegation.
18. Atlas (+0)
GK: They’re getting a lot of shots off, I guess?
TB: One goal in 10 games for Zorros. That says it all.