Off all the memorable performances and individual highlights, these five players stood out above the rest, argues Nestor Esquivel.
The Clausura 2019 provided plenty of surprises for Liga MX fans as Leon rose back to prominence, defending champs America finished outside the top 4 and the Chivas are now regularly reducing their fans to tears inside and outside of the stadium.
As for individual performances, we saw Alexis Vega score a hat trick against Atlas and Franco Jara bag three goals in a game (OK … it was against Veracruz, but a hat trick is a hat trick). But there were five players whose statistics – and their contributions to their teams – earned them plenty of praise.
These rankings take into account how valuable a player is to a team in production terms, overall skills, and team rankings.
With that being said, here are the top 5 stand-out players of the Clausura 2019 season.
5) Jose Juan Macias.
When Leon made a loan move to acquire Chivas youngster Jose Juan Macias, not much was expected, especially since there were big shoes to fill. Legendary captain and all-time Leon scoring leader Mauro Boselli had left the club, but much to everyone’s surprise, the young Mexican has stepped up and delivered. Macias scored 8 goals during the regular season, averaging a goal every 118 minutes played. (He has also scored twice in the playoffs, so far.) It’s hard to imagine Leon not turning the loan into a permanent acquisition, especially since Macias made it clear that his brief time in the Chivas senior team was not pleasant. There will surely be growing pains, but at 19 years old – and a veteran squad pulling him into their huddle – he will learn how to be a pro. Macias was the highest-scoring Mexican player in Liga MX, good for the #5 spot.
4) Gustavo Bou
Though Tijuana did not have the best Clausura, Gustavo Bou was a bright spot. The Xolos managed to qualify for the Liguilla as an 8 seed, but were disposed of quickly by top-seeded Leon. The 29-year-old Argentine striker was quite productive with 8 goals and 5 assists this season. He also scored twice against Leon in the playoffs. Although rookie coach Oscar Pareja led Tijuana to the playoffs in his first season, there is some work to be done. One spot he should not worry about is striker. The skilled Bou proved to be a clever playmaker and he was always willing to chase back and press. He gets the #4 spot.
3) Rogelio Funes Mori
Many will argue that Monterrey will go as far as striker Rogelio Funes Mori takes them. After winning the Concacaf Champions League, the Rayados are in the hunt for the LIga MX Clausura title too. After missing time due to injury during the Apertura 2018, Funes Mori is back and leading Monterrey to regional bragging rights, even defeating crosstown rivals Tigres in the CCL Final to be able to make that claim. Funes Mori enjoyed a great season – 11 goals and 2 assists. Next on the list of Rayados scoring leaders are midfielder Rodolfo Pizzaro and winger Dorlan Pabon with 4 goals each. Funes Mori earns the #3 spot on our list.
2) Brian Fernandez
This may be the first time an MLS player makes a list of best Liga MX players. Before moving to MLS side Portland Timbers earlier this month, Argentine forward Fernandez played for a small side that calls Aguascalientes home: Necaxa. With Necaxa, he was the most dangerous player on the field in almost every game, his bleached-blond hair streaking down the field and making every backline in the Liga MX nervous. He was very effective at creating space with his pace, and he had the freedom to shoot from anywhere on the field. That turned out to be a good policy as Fernandez scored 12 goals and provided 3 assists to earn our #2 spot.
1) Angel Mena
One of the reasons Cruz Azul reached the Apertura 2018 final was because of the transfers they brought, such as Elias Hernandez. One player already on the roster who was overlooked was Angel Mena. The Ecuadorian had a decent season with the Cementeros, always a skilled dribbler, but he was sold to Leon before the Clausura started. At age 31 he enjoyed his best season ever, balling out like the Greek Freak, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetekoumpo. Mena had14 goals and 8 assists during the Clausura, pairing well with striker J.J. Macias to become an unstoppable attacking force. The dynamic duo were among the quickest attackers on the counter in all of Liga MX. Mena earns our #1 spot and deserves all the praise for this beautiful season he has put together.
Honorable mention
Striker Milton Caraglio, Cruz Azul (Argentine) – 11 goals, 0 assists.
Midfielder Edwin Cardona, Pachuca (Colombia) – 6 goals, 5 assists.
Striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, Tigres (France) – 7 goals, 1 assist.
Any players we left out? Who are your top 5 players of the Clausura?