León retains grip on top spot, pushes win streak to 7
No. 1 León pushed its win streak to 7, while Toluca (up) and Guadalajara (down) are this week’s biggest movers.
Maintaining its top spot in the Viva Liga MX Power Rankings for the the third straight week, the Esmeraldas of Leon leapfrogged the two Monterrey teams to move to the top of the Liga MX table with a workmanlike 1-0 win over Lobos BUAP.
Two Super Clásicos highlight this coming week’s action as América and Guadalajara face off in the Copa MX quarterfinals on Wednesday before clashing again in league play three days later. The Aguilas are struggling to rediscover their offensive explosiveness while the slumping Chivas are on a 3-game winless streak during which they have scored only 1 goal. Still, Super Clásicos always provide fireworks of some kind.
Toluca is the big climber this week, responding to new coach Ricardo La Volpe to earn a tie on the road and also score (the Diablos have been shut out 5 times this season).
Without further ado, here are this week’s Power Rankings:
1. Leon (-)
The Esmeraldas were not as impressive as in previous weeks, but they overtook the two Monterrey teams to move atop the table. That’s more than enough to stay No. 1 for us too.
2. Tigres (-)
Stealing points from crosstown rivals Monterrey – on the road, and without Gignac – sure looks good on their resumé.
3. Monterrey (-)
Coach Alonso took some criticism from fans and local media for going conservative in trying to protect the 1-0 lead over Tigres instead of chasing more goals.
4. Pachuca (+2)
If only the Tuzos could play all their games at home. After trouncing Tijuana on Saturday, Pachuca is now 5-0-0 at Estadio Hidalgo with a crazy 13-1 goal differential.
5. América (-)
The Aguilas did just enough to beat Puebla, but coach Miguel Herrera has concerns. He has little time to tinker because there are two Super Clásicos coming up in the next 5 days.
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- Why the United States Is Set to Overtake Mexico on the World Stage
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6. Cruz Azul (+3)
Just as we said last week, the Cementeros are climbing not so much because of their performance, but because other teams deserved demotion.
7. Tijuana (-3)
Pachuca steamrolled the Xolos, but we’re confident that will only be a blip. The Xolos are playing decent soccer.
8. Santos (-1)
We’re giving a bit of slack to the Guerreros over their sluggish showing against Veracruz because they rested a few starters after a midweek Concacaf Champions League game.
9. Lobos BUAP (-1)
Maybe knocking these guys down a peg after ONLY losing 1-0 to León seems severe, but without top striker Leo Ramos the Lobos are vulnerable.
10. Necaxa (+2)
This bump up is all about the Rayos’ win over América because they did not impress against Toluca on Saturday.
11. Toluca (+4)
The Diablos responded to new coach Ricardo La Volpe, but they still have a long way to go.
12. Puebla (-1)
The Camoteros really played América tough at Estadio Azteca. If only they could find a reliable scorer.
13. UNAM (-)
The Pumas are 1-4-1 at home. That simply won’t get it done.
14. Guadalajara (-4)
Getting shut out by the league’s worst defense has left coach José Cardozo little wiggle room and with two battles vs América looming he could be on the way out.
15. Atlas (-1)
The Zorros have lost 5 straight, completely ruining their 3-1-1 start and getting coach Guillermo Hoyos pink-slipped. Leandro Cufre will take the reins now.
16. Morelia (-1)
Earning a tie at Estadio Olímpico Universitario would usually be cause for celebration. But the Monarcas had a 2-0 lead with less than 30 minutes remaining and allowed the Pumas to come back.
17. Querétaro (-)
Only Veracruz has scored fewer goals than the punchless Gallos Blancos.
18. Veracruz (-)
See above.