Monterrey is riding high, but León on historical win streak

Monterrey got back to winning ways in the league with an impressive win over Santos, but Leon is setting records and tops our Power Rankings.

Monterrey erased the bad taste of last week’s loss to Toluca and climbed two spots after a ruthlessly efficient win over Santos coming on the heels of its win over Sporting Kansas City in the Concacaf Champions League.

Meanwhile, León is marching toward the postseason in dominant fashion, setting a new league record for consecutive wins which is more than enough to stay No. 1 in our Power Rankings. In Pachuca, the Tuzos put up a 9-spot against last place Veracruz, which simply wasn’t enough to climb in the rankings, but it was exhausting to watch.

With only three games remaining in the Clausura 2019 season, here are the Viva Liga MX Power Rankings:

1. León (-)

The Esmeraldas are rewriting history and with Atlas and the Chivas next on their calendar, their 11 straight wins should grow to 13.

2. Tigres (+1)

The Tigres have been efficient and productive, and with striker André-Pierre Gignac set to rejoin the team in the coming days, they should secure the #2 playoff seed.

3. Monterrey (+2)

The Rayados offense is clicking impressively and Veracruz – their next opponent – gave up 9 goals on Saturday. Get your calculators ready.

4. América (-2)

It seems a bit unfair to drop the Aguilas two spots after a well-played game against Cruz Azul, but their strikers aren’t producing like the two regiomontano clubs who leapfrog them this week.

5. Cruz Azul (-1)

Despite playing with a makeshift line-up due to injuries and a suspension, the Cementeros held their own against América.

6. Pachuca (-)

Usually, a team that scores 9 goals would get a pretty good bump in the Power Rankings, but considering their opponent …

Leo Ulloa recorded a hat trick for Pachuca. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images) /

7. Necaxa (-)

The Rayos can no doubt smell the playoffs, but they face Pachuca and Monterrey in their next two games and they must avoid dropping too many points to remain in the top 10.

8. Tijuana (-)

The Xolos benefit from the fact that the four teams immediately after them on this list did nothing to earn a bump up, but Tijuana could rue the loss at struggling UNAM come playoff time.

9. Toluca (-)

After the magnificent display last week against Monterrey, the Diablos Rojos just couldn’t muster any offense against Querétaro.

10. Puebla (-)

A loss to top-ranked León slowed their playoff push, but the Xolos loss keeps them in the hunt.

11. Santos (-)

The Guerreros’ playoff dreams were dashed with the beating they took from the Rayados on Sunday night.

12. UNAM (+3)

A gritty performance produced a much-needed home victory, but the Pumas’ playoff hopes are on life support.

13. Atlas (-1)

The Zorros came up short against Necaxa. Only Querétaro and Veracruz have more losses than Atlas’ 7.

14. Morelia (-)

A win over the Chivas just doesn’t earn bonus points any more, but Morelia has lost only 1 of its past 6 games.

15. Lobos BUAP (-2)

Fatigue seems to be setting in. The Lobos just didn’t have the same energy as in past games and without that extra hustle, their roster limitations will get exposed.

16. Querétaro (-)

The Gallos Blancos no longer own the league’s worst defense (they have 3 shutouts in their past 5 games), but their lack of offense keeps them near the cellar.

17. Guadalajara (-)

The Chivas arguably did enough to deserve a tie against Morelia, but that sure is setting the bar low.

18 Veracruz (-)

The only reason the Tiburones are ranked 18th is because we can’t rank them any lower.

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Monterrey riding high, but León on historical streak

By Thomas Buckley | Apr 15, 2019