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Santos stands on top of Liga MX, Rayados climb

By Thomas Buckley

Santos Laguna basically led the Liga MX from start to finish this season. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Santos Laguna basically led the Liga MX from start to finish this season. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX power rankings
Chivas striker Alan Pulido scored a brace in the season finale to claim a share of the Liga MX scoring title. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

Big 4 members Chivas, Cementeros, Pumas on the outs

9. Guadalajara (+1)

The Chivas showed they are capable of playing free-flowing soccer but their defense always seemed to come up short. Allowing 28 goals in 18 games was never going to get it done.

10. Pachuca (-1)

The Tuzos repeated their disastrous year-end fade from the Apertura 2018. This season, they closed 1-1-4, finishing in ninth place. The fade cost coach Martín Palermo his job.

11. Pumas (–)

Only five teams scored fewer goals than UNAM and coach Miguel González never could find a combination up front that could score with regularity. The Pumas might need to invest in a striker.

Liga MX power rankings
It was a case of too little, too late for Cruz Azul. The Cementeros were well out of the playoff race. (Photo by Carlos Ramirez/Getty Images) /

12. Cruz Azul (+3)

This season couldn’t end soon enough for the Cementeros and there should be plenty of new faces on the roster for the Clausura 2020 after a disappointing 12th-place finish.

13. Tijuana (-1)

The Xolos controlled their own destiny with three games remaining, but lost all three by a combined score of 1-9. The fate of coach Oscar Pareja might have been decided by this collapse.

14. Atlas (–)

The Zorros stayed in the playoff race (mathematically, at least) until the final weekend, but they will need to find some offense (19 goals for in 18 games) to contend again next season.

15. FC Juárez (-2)

The Bravos played with determination all season long, but they were always overmatched. It will be interesting to see if Juárez spends during the upcoming transfer window or if they’ll wait until the summer.

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16. Atlético San Luis (–)

The Tuneros showed promise early then suffered from front-office meddling (they fired two coaches during the season) and then got a black eye after its fans rioted in the stands during a game against rival Querétaro.

17. Toluca (–)

Just one year ago, the Diablos were a solid playoff team. This team truly underperformed. It will be up to new coach José Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre to lift Toluca out of its funk.

18. Puebla (–)

The Camoteros ended their season with an impressive 3-0 win over Necaxa in front of their home fans. But little else went their way this season.

19. Veracruz (–)

The fate of the Tiburones is up in the air as Liga MX officials examine the financial solvency of the franchise. If they bring the hammer down, they’ll have to entirely re-do the Clausura 2020 calendar. That could be incentive to let controversial owner Fidel Kuri off the hook, but it would be a very bad look for the league.

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