Atlas players celebrate after defeating crosstown rivals Guadalajara on Matchday 12. The Zorros rose one spot in the Liga MX Power Rankings. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images)
América celebrated its 105th anniversary this week so perhaps it’s appropriate that they return to No. 1 in the Playing for 90 Power Rankings. OK, that doesn’t make any sense, especially coming from a Necaxa fan who would like nothing better than to see the Aguilas fall on their collective faces.
But that’s neither here nor there, and América currently does indeed sit atop the Liga MX table with five matchdays remaining, after last week’s No. 1 – Monterrey – looked downright lousy in losing to FC Juárez. The Aguilas, meanwhile, imposed their will on UNAM and walked away with a 2-0 win in the “Clásico Capitalino.”
In the Guadalajara derby, No. 2 Atlas coasted past the slumping Chivas by the slimmest of margins (1-0) despite playing with a 2-man advantage for more than 60 minutes. A more convincing win by the Zorros and they might have merited consideration for the top spot.
The Liga MX is heading into the home stretch coming off the October FIFA break (a circumstance bound to affect those teams with players participating in World Cup qualifiers in North and South America) so the time to make a playoff push is now.
Liga MX Power Rankings after Matchday 12
There wasn’t much movement either up or down and it is still difficult to separate the pretenders from the contenders. In fact, mediocrity would have to be the watchword through the first dozen matchdays.
Teams will have to shelve the excuses – though fatigue is a legitimate, and persistent, one for teams with players on international duty – and simply put up or shut up, starting this weekend. With that in mind, two Matchday 13 contests could go a long way in determining playoff seeding (and Power Rankings slots): León at Monterrey and Tigres at Cruz Azul. Both are must-see TV.
And so, without further ado, here are the latest Liga MX Power Rankings. And remember, the figure in parentheses after the team name reflects that club’s movement compared to the previous rankings.
1. América (+1)
The Aguilas ended a 3-game winless streak with their convincing win over the Pumas. They can’t afford to look past Atlético de San Luis this weekend, because their schedule down the stretch is among the toughest in Liga MX.
2. Atlas (+1)
The Zorros boast the stingiest defense in Liga MX (5 goals allowed in 12 games), but coach Diego Cocca knows his team must improve on offense to contend for the trophy. At the same time, the front office has allowed Cocca’s contract situation to become a potential distraction.
3. Monterrey (–2)
The Rayados were caught napping by a desperate FC Juárez side last time out and the Bravos handed them a decisive loss that could cost Monterrey a first-round playoff bye.
4. Toluca (—)
The Diablos Rojos have not won since handing América its only loss of the season back on Matchday 9. Coach Hernán Cristante must stop the bleeding to salvage a promising season. A visit to a Chivas team in disarray could be just what the doctor ordered.
celebrated its 105th anniversary</a> this week so perhaps it’s appropriate that they return to No. 1 in the Playing for 90 Power Rankings. OK, that doesn’t make any sense, especially coming from a Necaxa fan who would like nothing better than to see the Aguilas fall on their collective faces.</p>
<p>But that’s neither here nor there, and América currently does indeed sit atop the Liga MX table with five matchdays remaining, after last week’s No. 1 – Monterrey – looked downright lousy in losing to FC Juárez. The Aguilas, meanwhile, imposed their will on UNAM and walked away with a 2-0 win in the<em> “Clásico Capitalino.”</em></p>
<p>In the Guadalajara derby, No. 2 Atlas coasted past the slumping Chivas by the slimmest of margins (1-0) despite playing with a 2-man advantage for more than 60 minutes. A more convincing win by the Zorros and they might have merited consideration for the top spot.</p>
<p>The Liga MX is heading into the home stretch coming off the October FIFA break (a circumstance bound to affect <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/14/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-no-1/"https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/06/fifa-break-heightens-drama-liga-mx/">those teams with players participating in World Cup qualifiers</a> in North and South America) so the time to make a playoff push is now.</p>
<h2>Liga MX Power Rankings after Matchday 12</h2>
<p>There wasn’t much movement either up or down and it is still difficult to separate the pretenders from the contenders. In fact, mediocrity would have to be the watchword through the first dozen matchdays.</p>
<p>Teams will have to shelve the excuses – though fatigue is a legitimate, and persistent, one for teams with players on international duty – and simply put up or shut up, starting this weekend. With that in mind, two Matchday 13 contests could go a long way in determining playoff seeding (and Power Rankings slots): León at Monterrey and Tigres at Cruz Azul. Both are must-see TV.</p>
<p>And so, without further ado, here are the latest Liga MX Power Rankings. And remember, the figure in parentheses after the team name reflects that club’s movement compared to the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/14/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-no-1/"https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/01/new-leader-liga-mx-power-rankings/">previous rankings</a>.</p>
<p><strong>1. América (+1)</strong></p>
<p>The Aguilas ended a 3-game winless streak with their convincing win over the Pumas. They can’t afford to look past Atlético de San Luis this weekend, because their schedule down the stretch is among the toughest in Liga MX.</p>
<p><strong>2. Atlas (+1)</strong></p>
<p>The Zorros boast the stingiest defense in Liga MX (5 goals allowed in 12 games), but coach Diego Cocca <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/14/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-no-1/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1D7lj4FUss%22>knows his team must improve on offense</a> to contend for the trophy. At the same time, the front office has allowed <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/14/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-no-1/"https://www.futboltotal.com.mx/futbol-mexicano/liga-mx/atlas-en-peligro-de-perder-a-diego-cocca/2021/09">Cocca’s contract situation</a> to become a potential distraction.</p>
<p><strong>3. Monterrey (–2)</strong></p>
<p>The Rayados were caught napping by a desperate FC Juárez side last time out and the Bravos handed them a decisive loss that could cost Monterrey a first-round playoff bye.</p>
<p><strong>4. Toluca (—)</strong></p>
<p>The Diablos Rojos have not won since handing América its only loss of the season back on Matchday 9. Coach Hernán Cristante must stop the bleeding to salvage a promising season. A visit to a Chivas team in disarray could be just what the doctor ordered.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/14/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-no-1/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Nos. 5-11 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-489000" src=https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/14/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-no-1/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1287993344-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX Power Rankings 12" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">No. 8 Cruz Azul hosts the fifth-ranked Tigres in a critical Liga MX match this weekend. (Photo by Alfredo Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Defending Liga MX champs lagging behind</h3>
<p><strong>5. Tigres (—)</strong></p>
<p>Miguel Herrera’s team used the FIFA break to get healthy. Striker André-Pierre-Gignac could feature as a sub against Cruz Azul on Saturday, while top scorer Nico López is back after a stint on injury row. Winger Javier Aquino is also expected to be available against his former team.</p>
<p><strong>6. Atlético de San Luis (—)</strong></p>
<p>The Tuneros continue to surprise Liga MX pundits, making a serious bid to claim home-field advantage in the wildcard round. After finishing dead last a season ago, Atleti and rookie coach Marcelo Méndez have snuck up on a few teams this season. Next up is América and a chance to take stock of where they stand.</p>
<p><strong>7. León (—)</strong></p>
<p>The Esmeraldas have been wildly inconsistent, only occasionally flashing the explosiveness of seasons past. León’s last league win came back on Aug. 18 (a 3-0 triumph at Guadalajara) and they are in desperate need of points. Four of their regulars have South American qualifiers on Thursday, just two days before the Monterrey match.</p>
<p><strong>8. Cruz Azul (—)</strong></p>
<p>The reigning Liga MX champs have struggled to find the magic of last season, and coach Juan Reynoso has been unable to settle upon a favorable line-up as injuries and fatigue have really taken a toll. Six of his players are out on international duty this week and the Tigres are coming to town on Saturday.</p>
<p><strong>9. Santos Laguna (+1)</strong></p>
<p>Coach Guillermo Aldama has found another gem in the club’s academy system (Jordan Carrillo), but his front-line performers (Brian Lozano, Juan Otero and Diego Valdés) have failed to produce. Newcomer Alessio da Cruz has been a pleasant surprise in attack, and injured goalie Carlos Acevedo (out six weeks with a shoulder injury) was back in training this week.</p>
<p><strong>10. Pachuca (+2)</strong></p>
<p>The Tuzos got red-hot down the stretch last season and they might need to replicate that performance to save coach Paulo Pezzolano’s job. A win at home against Santos Laguna would be a start, or the front office could launch a quick coaching search come November.</p>
<p><strong>11. Puebla (–2)</strong></p>
<p>The Camoteros have had trouble replacing the production of the departed Santiago Ormeño and Omar Fernández (both now with León) though they remain among the toughest Liga MX underdogs.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/14/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-no-1/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Nos. 12-18 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-489001" src=https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/14/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-no-1/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1344360589-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX Power Rankings 12" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Jefferson Intriago (left) and his FC Juárez mates appear to be getting more and more comfortable playing “Tuca” Ball. (Photo by Alvaro Avila/Jam Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Not yet also-rans, but close</h3>
<p><strong>12. FC Juárez (+2)</strong></p>
<p>The Bravos were winless through Matchday 7, but have won four of their past six to leap into the playoff conversation. A road trip to lowly UNAM could keep them on track to claim a wildcard spot.</p>
<p><strong>13. Guadalajara (–2)</strong></p>
<p>The Chivas have not won since making a coaching change after Matchday 9. Now <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/14/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-no-1/"https://www.record.com.mx/columnistas-ruben-rodriguez/que-corrientes-prevalecen-en-chivas-y-cual-lleva-ventaja">a front-office power struggle</a> is threatening to poison the locker room which, unfortunately, is populated with underperforming players.</p>
<p><strong>14. Mazatlán FC (–1)</strong></p>
<p>The Cañoneros have just one win since July, but get a shot at a short-handed Atlas side whose goalie (Colombia international Camilo Vargas) and a top central defender (Peru international Anderson Santamaría) will arrive in Mazatlán the day after playing World Cup qualifiers.</p>
<p><strong>15. Necaxa (+1)</strong></p>
<p>New coach Pablo Guede has had time to familiarize himself with the Rayos’ roster which means he should have no doubt about its shortcomings. It’s almost time to start evaluating players in preparation for next season.</p>
<p><strong>15. Querétaro (–1)</strong></p>
<p>The Gallos Blancos have the lowest payroll among Liga MX teams and it shows. The club has managed only 6 goals in 12 games (tied with UNAM for fewest goals in the league).</p>
<p><strong>17. UNAM (—)</strong></p>
<p>The Pumas will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season after reaching the Guardianes 2020 Finals. Coach Andrés Lillini is just playing out the string, probably eager to return to his job as UNAM academy director.</p>
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<p><strong>18. Tijuana (—)</strong></p>
<p>The Xolos have the worst defense in Liga MX (21 goals allowed) and as a result they have <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/10/14/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-no-1/"https://mexico.as.com/mexico/2021/10/08/futbol/1633712257_563157.html">a new coach – Sebastián Méndez</a>. The Argentine manager will be tasked with assessing the talent (or lack thereof) and preparing the team for the Clausura 2022 season.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">