León skipper Luis Montes is having an MVP season. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
América climbs to No. 2 after clinching first-round bye
We’re down to the final weekend and one thing we can say with certainty is that León is the clear favorite to hoist the Guardianes 2020 trophy. We could also say that the Chivas find themselves in a fine mess, but we’ll address the on-field factors first.
The Esmeraldas have won seven in a row and are on a 13-game unbeaten streak (11-2-0). Red-hot León tops Liga MX with 12 victories, while second best (América and Cruz Azul) is 9 wins.
Naturally, León earned the No. 1 spot in the Playing for 90 Power Rankings, extending their run atop the rankings to six consecutive weeks.
More importantly, “La Fiera” has clinched the No. 1 seed throughout the Liguilla which means a first-round bye and they’ll host the return match in every playoff series they face.
América has also clinched a first-round playoff bye and eight other Liga MX teams have qualified for the postseason. Four teams – Toluca, FC Juárez, Puebla and Mazatlán – are chasing the last two wildcard spots.
Meanwhile, in Guadalajara the Chivas are demonstrating the fine art of self-destruction. Four players have been separated from the squad for violating team rules (specifically, partying it up after a win in violation of pandemic restrictions) and might not ever pull on a Chivas jersey again.
So, let’s get to the Power Rankings. The figure in parentheses after the team name reflects that club’s current position in comparison to the previous rankings.
1. León (—)
The Esmeraldas are simply the class of Liga MX. They wear down opponents by pressing the attack for 90 minutes. They scored twice after halftime against Santos to push their second-half goal total to 16 (out of 25 goals in all).
2. América (+4)
The Aguilas looked impressive against the Tigres, rising to the occasion to clinch a Top 4 seed and a first-round playoff bye. Goalie “Memo” Ochoa was back between the pipes after missing four games and coach Miguel Herrera has a nearly full roster at his disposal (striker Federico Viñas is currently sidelined with Covid-19) as América survived a mid-season injury bug.
3. Monterrey (+2)
The Rayados are hitting stride at the perfect time as they aspire to defend the Liga MX title they won back in December. A road win over the Chivas in their finale guarantees them a Top 4 seed and a first-round bye. Monterrey was perfect in October (5-0-0) and is on the verge of claiming its third Copa MX trophy.
4. Tigres (–2)
“Tuca” Ferretti appeared to have his Tigres roaring into the playoffs, but the mighty “Felinos” have stumbled. A shocking home draw with FC Juárez was followed by a humbling loss to América. These results could have cost the Tigres a Top 4 seed. Now, they’ll have to win against Atlas and hope the Chivas beat Monterrey or Cruz Azul fails to defeat the Pumas.
Four players have been separated from the squad</a> for violating team rules (specifically, partying it up after a win in violation of pandemic restrictions) and might not ever pull on a Chivas jersey again.</p>
<p>So, let’s get to the Power Rankings. The figure in parentheses after the team name reflects that club’s current position in comparison to <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/05/rankings-leon-king-liga-mx-jungle/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/28/liga-mx-power-rankings-leon-top-seed/">the previous rankings</a>.</p>
<h2>1. León (—)</h2>
<p>The Esmeraldas are simply the class of Liga MX. They wear down opponents by pressing the attack for 90 minutes. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/05/rankings-leon-king-liga-mx-jungle/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLW_8WblWI8%22>They scored twice after halftime against Santos</a> to push their second-half goal total to 16 (out of 25 goals in all).</p>
<h2>2. América (+4)</h2>
<p>The Aguilas <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/05/rankings-leon-king-liga-mx-jungle/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/03/liga-mx-america-throttles-tigres-playoff/">looked impressive against the Tigres</a>, rising to the occasion to clinch a Top 4 seed and a first-round playoff bye. Goalie “Memo” Ochoa was back between the pipes after missing four games and coach Miguel Herrera has a nearly full roster at his disposal (striker Federico Viñas is currently sidelined with Covid-19) as América survived a mid-season injury bug.</p>
<h2>3. Monterrey (+2)</h2>
<p>The Rayados are hitting stride at the perfect time as they aspire to defend the Liga MX title they won back in December. A road win over the Chivas in their finale guarantees them a Top 4 seed and a first-round bye. Monterrey was perfect in October (5-0-0) and is on the verge of claiming its third Copa MX trophy.</p>
<h2>4. Tigres (–2)</h2>
<p>“Tuca” Ferretti appeared to have his Tigres roaring into the playoffs, but the mighty “Felinos” have stumbled. A shocking home draw with FC Juárez was followed by a humbling loss to América. These results could have cost the Tigres a Top 4 seed. Now, they’ll have to win against Atlas and hope the Chivas beat Monterrey or Cruz Azul fails to defeat the Pumas.</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/2020/11/05/rankings-leon-king-liga-mx-jungle/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Nos. 5-10 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-485216" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/05/rankings-leon-king-liga-mx-jungle/"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%2F2018%2F08%2F1283266452-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX rankings 16" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">When Carlos González scores, the Pumas pick up points. He scored the equalizer against the Chivas on the weekend. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Next stop for these six clubs: The Liga MX playoffs</h3>
<h2>5. UNAM (–1)</h2>
<p>The Pumas looked vulnerable at times against Guadalajara over the weekend but <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/05/rankings-leon-king-liga-mx-jungle/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6H7JnSS4oU%22>pulled out a draw</a> that keeps them in the fight for a first-round playoff bye. The loss of right back Alan Mozo (red card against the Chivas) will be an annoyance against Cruz Azul, but not so much if keeper Alfredo Talavera continues his MVP form.</p>
<h2>6. Cruz Azul (–3)</h2>
<p>The Cementeros have looked a mess of late, getting shut out in four of their past six Liga MX games. Fourth-place Cruz Azul was in first place when their offensive power outage struck. Coach Robert Siboldi has tinkered with his line-up (replacing Santi Giménez up front with Milton Caraglio), but his bigger problem is in midfield where there seems to be a gaping hole. The offense has been reduced to speculative long balls and aimless crosses, not a recipe for success.</p>
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<h2>7. Santos (—)</h2>
<p>The Guerreros held their own on the road against league-leading León and the intensity of the match was reflected in news of a post-game scuffle in the ramp leading to the locker rooms. Coach Guillermo Almada claims León coach Ignacio Ambriz started the melee by insulting Fernando Gorriarán. Santos must put this one behind them as quickly as possible and focus on getting a win in the finale. They host Mazatlán, a team chasing one of the final playoff spots.</p>
<h2>8. Pachuca (—)</h2>
<p>The Tuzos are on a 7-game unbeaten run but five of those results are draws, so coming away from Tijuana with a 2-0 win was a boost. The result virtually secures home-field advantage in the wildcard round as seventh-place Pachuca has a 3-point advantage over ninth-place Santos. A loss vs Necaxa could put that bit of security at risk.</p>
<h2>9. Guadalajara (—)</h2>
<p>The Chivas enter the Liga MX playoffs riven by strife (four players suspended for violating team rules and one of those four – Dieter Villalpando – facing criminal charges) and a shortage of locker room harmony. Captain Jesús Molina is getting raked over the coals for failing to exert influence over the irresponsible revelry. Also, star striker J.J. Macías voiced his unhappiness about management to GQ magazine and he was on the bench against the Pumas.</p>
<h2>10. Necaxa (—)</h2>
<p>The <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/05/rankings-leon-king-liga-mx-jungle/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/31/late-goal-necaxa-liga-mx-wildcard-playoff/">Rayos won their fourth straight game</a> to earn a spot in the wildcard round and could actually climb as high as eighth. They would have to defeat Pachuca in their finale and hope Santos fails to beat Mazatlán. A loss to the Tuzos could see Necaxa drop as low as 12th.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Mazatlán’s offense came to life against lowly Atlético de San Luis, preserving their playoff hopes. (Photo by Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Four clubs still entertain playoff hopes</h3>
<h2>11. Toluca (—)</h2>
<p>The Diablos might have to defeat top-seeded León at home on Sunday to qualify for the playoffs. They’ll know what is required since Puebla hosts last-place Atlético de San Luis on Friday night. If the Camoteros fail to win, Toluca gets a spot in the wildcard round.</p>
<h2>12. Puebla (—)</h2>
<p>The <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/11/05/rankings-leon-king-liga-mx-jungle/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN525XMggAs%22>Camoteros edged Atlas</a> to keep their postseason dreams alive, but they need another win and a Toluca loss or tie to steal the 12th and final spot.</p>
<h2>13. FC Juárez (+1)</h2>
<p>The Bravos battled their way to a 1-0 win over a disintegrating Querétaro side even though they had been reduced to 10 men four minutes before the game-winning goal (from captain Darío Lezcano). Their route to the playoffs is tricky. They play right after Puebla on Friday night … against América. If the Camoteros win, the Bravos must also win. If the Camoteros draw, the Bravos must get at least a draw or they’ll be out on goal differential.</p>
<h2>14. Mazatlán FC (+1)</h2>
<p>Departing striker Camilo Sanvezzo posted a hat trick in his team’s 5-0 win over Atlético de San Luis. I never could understand why the Brazilian was unable to break the starting line-up under “Paco” Palencia. With Tomás Boy in charge, he is the target man. Unfortunately, Sanvezzo is leaving for Malaysia to join Johor Darul Ta’zim FC.</p>
<h2>15. Atlas (–2)</h2>
<p>The Zorros hit the skids at the wrong time and the 1-0 home loss to Puebla (Atlas’ fourth setback in a row) knocked them out of contention. Only one team (Tijuana – 10 goals) has scored fewer than the 12 goals Atlas has managed in 16 games. You’re simply not going to win very much if you can’t get the ball in the net.</p>
<h2>16. Tijuana (—)</h2>
<p>The Xolos have gone 462 minutes since their last goal (552 minutes, if you count the Copa MX Final). It seems likely that coach Pablo Guede even if Tijuana rediscovers its offense and finds a way to overcome the 1-0 first-leg deficit in the Copa MX Final against Monterrey.</p>
<h2>17. Querétaro (—)</h2>
<p>The Gallos extended their winless streak to 8 games while interim coach Héctor Altamirano looked on. Querétaro ends the Guardianes 2020 against Tijuana so they could actually end the season on a high note.</p>
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<h2>18. Atlético de San Luis (—)</h2>
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