Liga MX: VLMX Power Rankings

There is a new number one team in the Viva Liga MX Power Rankings!

Thanks to a number of upsets in Liga MX, Cruz Azul has fallen from the top spot in the VLMX power rankings. Cruz Azul was demolished by Pachuca and the rankings reflect that.

As with all things in sports, sometimes good isn’t good enough though. A couple of teams had good performances but ultimately fell in these rankings because other clubs were just more impressive this weekend. Atlas won their first match, Lobos has a bit of a winning streak going, up is down, left is right and everything is chaos.

Here’s how we think everyone is playing currently.

The Rankings

1. Santos Laguna (+2)
Garett Kerber (GK): I’m moving Santos up to 1. This is currently the best team in Liga MX from a consistency and balance standpoint. They may not finish at the top, but they certainly belong at the top of these rankings right now.
Luis Ramos (LR): Santos are sneaking their way up and they manage to get the job done. They are showing the league that their championship run last tournament was no fluke.
Tom Buckley (TB): Santos handed Necaxa its first home loss and their defense is standing tall.

2. Cruz Azul (-1)
TB: Coach Caixinha rested players ahead of Copa MX quarterfinal and Pachuca made Cementeros pay.
GK: A loss to Pachuca isn’t necessarily a reason to demote them, but it gives me just enough reason to move Santos above them.
LR: Cruz Azul suffered another loss. Despite of what happened in the game or what the starting eleven looked like, having that loss and not gaining any points does hurt them down the road with teams looking to come get that number one spot from them. Not to mention America and Santos only a couple of points behind.

3. Club America (-1)
LR: America played like a number one team but can’t execute like one. They clearly need a major upgrade in the Striker position to show no mercy against opponents and that can deliver that finish. Even if it was a tie, it felt more like a loss for America.
TB: Underachieving Aguilas just not converting when opportunities arise.
GK: Have to finish chances. Not converting a penalty gifted to you at the end of a huge rivalry match is liable to come back to haunt Las Aguilas. I hope I’m wrong.

4. Tigres (+2)
TB: Maybe Tuca finally has their attention. Tigres finally hitting their stride.
GK: Slow and steady wins the race, I guess. Just get in the Liguilla and things happen!
LR: The real Tigres are coming back and heating up at the right time.

5. Pumas (+0)
GK: Just when I started to believe in this team. They blow a 2-0 lead to Puebla.
LR: Pumas played like they have been all season.. they start hot then by the end leave you questioning what happened.
TB: Up 2-0 in first 15 minutes but failed to put Puebla away. Could have moved into second place.

6. Toluca ( -2)
LR: Nothing to say here but… a loss to Atlas is no good for a playoff caliber club.
TB: Loss to previously winless Atlas a real downer.
GK: Not only became the first to lose to Atlas, but the first to give up 2 goals as well. They allowed double the goals to Atlas that Los Zorros had scored the entire Apertura!

7. Pachuca (+3)
TB: Ulloa gets first Liga MX goal and suddenly Pachuca looks dangerous.
GK: Impressive and enthusiastic defeat of table-leading Cruz Azul. Guzman was great.
LR: Pachuca are looking like the real deal and they can only go up from here after a surprising win over Cruz Azul.

8. Monterrey (-1)
GK: Stopped the Xolos winning streak, but need to show up again next week to make me a believer.
LR: Monterrey stopped the bleeding and gained the much-needed points.
TB: Big win over Tijuana but waterlogged conditions favored them

9. Chivas (-1)
LR: Chivas are looking like a real dangerous team and if they keep up with the way they are playing, they are a real team to look out for in the playoffs if they make it.
TB: Staying on edge of playoff contention while waiting for Pineda and Pérez to return from injury.
GK: Chivas might actually be back soon! The huge penalty save from Gudino pumped the Guadalajara side full of confidence heading down the stretch.

10. Queretaro (-1)
TB: Scoring issues could keep them out of playoffs.
GK: Someone other than Sanvezzo has to score.
LR: Queretaro could find themselves missing out on the big party if they don’t turn it around quick.

11. Club Tijuana (+1)
GK: You have to score goals to win games. Draws are nice and all, but if you can’t get some wins against better teams like Monterrey, it makes life difficult.
LR: Xolos need a lot of help.
TB: Only Atlas has scored fewer goals than these Xolos.

12. Puebla (+1)
LR: Puebla does enough to stick around and look OK. Not too good or too bad but just OK.
TB: Scrappy performance probably saves “Ojitos” Meza’s job.
GK: They clawed back to stay mid-table, which is about where they belong

13. Leon (+2)
TB: Whatever Coach Ambriz is selling, his players are buying it.
GK: Wow. Even against a defense as poor as Veracruz, I didn’t expect that offensive outburst from these old lions.
LR: Leon do enough to stay relevant and handle the weak opponents.

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14. Necaxa (+0)
GK: They’re looking better than they did for a stretch there, but they’re looking ahead to Clausura 2019 at this point.
LR: Necaxa look like serious contenders once they have it all down….next season.
TB: Played Santos tough, but moral victories not enough.

15. Monarcas (-4)
LR: It might be over for Monarcas.
TB: Monarcas in free fall.
GK: Hard to come back from getting torched by Lobos BUAP.

16. Lobos (+1)
TB: Baby steps … one game at a time. Puebla derby up next.
GK: Winning streak! Winning Streak! Hoooooooowwwwwwwwlllllll!
LR: Lobos doing the most to stay away from being included in the relegation conversation.

17. Veracruz (-1)
GK: Aaaaaaaaaaaaand forget what you saw against Santos. It was an aberration apparently.
LR: Veracruz had us all fooled when we thought they were starting to look good.. but after the defeat to Leon all is back to normal.
TB: Porous defense means relegation worries have been rekindled.

18. Atlas (+0)
LR: Atlas finally won and scored the most goals they have scored all season. Congrats.
TB: First win since Rafa Márquez moved into the front office.
GK: Congrats on the goals and the win! You’re still bottom of my table, though. Sorry.