Jonathan Rodríguez (right) led the Cementeros to victory over Atlas with a second-half brace. (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images)
With the FIFA break over and El Tri crowned as champs of the Concacaf Olympics qualifying tournament, Liga MX clubs turn their attention to the stretch run of the Guardianes 2021 tournament.
Matchday 13 kicks off Friday night, beginning a mad five-weekend dash to the playoffs sprinkled with midweek Concacaf Champions League dates for four teams.
With no team eliminated from the playoffs yet and only one spot clinched (Cruz Azul is guaranteed a wild-card berth), there still could be considerable movement in the Liga MX table, and by extension, in the Playing for 90 Power Rankings.
As proof of this, Matchday 12 did produce some dramatic changes in the rankings as both León (up 6 spots) and Querétaro (down 6) saw their fortunes move in new directions. Meanwhile, Pachuca and the Pumas climbed 4 rungs as they seek a return to the Liguilla.
Cementeros leapfrog América
Cruz Azul’s 3-2 triumph over a streaking Atlas club was enough to propel “La Máquina” back into first place in our Power Rankings after a one-week absence.
With two sublime finishes from Jonathan Rodríguez, Cruz Azul extended its franchise-record win streak to 10 games and maintained its position atop the Liga MX table, just in front of cross-town rivals América. The Aguilas slipped back into second after struggling to escape the Kraken with a 1-0 win over Mazatlán FC.
These two Mexico City teams are headed for a monumental clash on April 17 but neither can afford to look ahead since both have key Liga MX matches as well as international dates to attend to.
And we don’t want to look ahead too far either, so let’s get to the matter at hand – the Liga MX Power Rankings after 12 weeks.
The figure in parentheses after the name of the club indicates the team’s movement related to the previous Power Rankings.
1. Cruz Azul (+1)
Record: 10-0-2 30 points
The Cementeros are making (yet another) bid to end their nearly 24-year Liga MX trophy drought with a rookie coach at the helm. Juan Reynoso has proven adept at rotating his line-up and making in-game adjustments. At the risk of jinxing them, the league leaders should have no problem extending their streak to 11 wins as they visit last place FC Juárez on Saturday.
2. América (–1)
Record: 9-1-2 28 points
As the Aguilas have become more familiar with the demands of new coach Santiago Solari, they have become more formidable. They lack flash in attack, but their application of the tactical demands imposed by the former Real Madrid coach show on the back end. América has six shut-outs (in 11 games) and have yet to concede more than one goal in a game.
3. Monterrey (+1)
Record: 5-4-2 19 points
The Rayados have been sidelined since March 13 since their Matchday 12 contest vs the Chivas was postponed but several of their players kept busy on national team duty. A visit from the Tuneros of Atlético de San Luis on Saturday should help ease them back into form.
Liga MX clubs turn their attention to the stretch run</a> of the Guardianes 2021 tournament.</p>
<p>Matchday 13 kicks off Friday night, beginning a mad five-weekend dash to the playoffs sprinkled with midweek Concacaf Champions League dates for four teams.<br>
With no team eliminated from the playoffs yet and only one spot clinched (Cruz Azul is guaranteed a wild-card berth), there still could be considerable movement in <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/04/05/liga-mx-power-rankings-cruz-azul-back-no-1/"https://www.espn.com.mx/futbol/posiciones/_/league/mex.1/liga-mx">the Liga MX table</a>, and by extension, in the Playing for 90 Power Rankings.</p>
<p>As proof of this, Matchday 12 did produce some dramatic changes in the rankings as both León (up 6 spots) and Querétaro (down 6) saw their fortunes move in new directions. Meanwhile, Pachuca and the Pumas climbed 4 rungs as they seek a return to the <em>Liguilla</em>.</p>
<h2>Cementeros leapfrog América</h2>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/04/05/liga-mx-power-rankings-cruz-azul-back-no-1/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_lNMhIEjms%22>Cruz Azul’s 3-2 triumph over a streaking Atlas club</a> was enough to propel <em>“La Máquina”</em> back into first place in our Power Rankings after a one-week absence.</p>
<p>With two sublime finishes from Jonathan Rodríguez, Cruz Azul extended its franchise-record win streak to 10 games and maintained its position atop the Liga MX table, just in front of cross-town rivals América. The Aguilas slipped back into second after struggling to escape the Kraken with a 1-0 win over Mazatlán FC.</p>
<p>These two Mexico City teams are headed for a monumental clash on April 17 but neither can afford to look ahead since both have key Liga MX matches as well as international dates to attend to.</p>
<p>And we don’t want to look ahead too far either, so let’s get to the matter at hand – the Liga MX Power Rankings after 12 weeks.</p>
<p>The figure in parentheses after the name of the club indicates the team’s movement related to the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2021/04/05/liga-mx-power-rankings-cruz-azul-back-no-1/"https://playingfor90.com/2021/03/18/liga-mx-power-rankings-america-top/">previous Power Rankings</a>.</p>
<h2>1. Cruz Azul (+1)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 10-0-2 30 points</strong></p>
<p>The Cementeros are making (yet another) bid to end their nearly 24-year Liga MX trophy drought with a rookie coach at the helm. Juan Reynoso has proven adept at rotating his line-up and making in-game adjustments. At the risk of jinxing them, the league leaders should have no problem extending their streak to 11 wins as they visit last place FC Juárez on Saturday.</p>
<h2>2. América (–1)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 9-1-2 28 points</strong></p>
<p>As the Aguilas have become more familiar with the demands of new coach Santiago Solari, they have become more formidable. They lack flash in attack, but their application of the tactical demands imposed by the former Real Madrid coach show on the back end. América has six shut-outs (in 11 games) and have yet to concede more than one goal in a game.</p>
<h2>3. Monterrey (+1)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 5-4-2 19 points</strong></p>
<p>The Rayados have been sidelined since March 13 since their Matchday 12 contest vs the Chivas was postponed but several of their players kept busy on national team duty. A visit from the Tuneros of Atlético de San Luis on Saturday should help ease them back into form.</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/2021/04/05/liga-mx-power-rankings-cruz-azul-back-no-1/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Nos. 4-8 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-486438" src=https://playingfor90.com/2021/04/05/liga-mx-power-rankings-cruz-azul-back-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%2F2018%2F08%2F1297139767-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX Power Rankings 12" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Midfield wizard Luis Montes is poised to lead León’s title defense after returning from an injury that saw him miss three games. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>In the hunt for a first-round bye</h3>
<h2>4. Santos (–1)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 6-3-3 21 points</strong></p>
<p>Coach Guillermo Aldama and his crew were hit with tough news last week as their midfield Guerrero, Fernando Gorriarán, suffered a season-ending injury. The “Uruguayan Guardiola” will have to maintain a steady hand on his callow roster to guide them through some tough times. Alan Cervantes will have to take on greater responsibility in midfield, while youngsters like Santi Muñoz, Jesús Ocejo and goalie Carlos Acevedo must grow up quickly.</p>
<h2>5. Toluca (+)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 5-4-3 19 points</strong></p>
<p>The Diablos Rojos are anxious to avoid another late-season collapse but they’ll need the ageless wonder Rubens Sambueza to stay healthy in order to claim a favorable playoff seeding. “Sambu” missed Toluca’s last match and <em>“los Choriceros”</em> had to settle for a 4-4 draw against Puebla. A thrilling match, to be sure, but coach Hernán Cristante hates to cede points at home, particularly with a man advantage for 40 minutes (during which Puebla scored all 4 goals).</p>
<h2>6. Atlas (–1)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 5-3-4 18 points</strong></p>
<p>The Zorros saw their 8-game unbeaten streak erased by Cruz Azul but there’s no time to mope with playoff contenders Tijuana and León up next on the calendar. <em>“Los Rojinegros”</em> are desperate to end their 4-year playoff drought but they’ll have to climb out of the Relegation Zone in order to be eligible for the post-season.</p>
<h2>7. León (+6)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 4-2-6 14 points</strong></p>
<p>The defending champs are roaring again. After a stumbling start followed by a midseason lull, the Esmeraldas’ offense is purring again. The return to health of skipper Luis Montes sparked the modest 2-game win streak and revved up the engine, but the FIFA break will have allowed coach Ignacio Ambriz to tinker under the hood a bit more.</p>
<h2>8. Tijuana (+2)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 4-4-4 16 points</strong></p>
<p>The Xolos got a much-needed win last time out to end a 5-game winless streak, but the aforementioned FIFA break denied them a chance to carry momentum forward. They’ll visit Atlas knowing a road win would put them back in the hunt for a top-6 seeding.</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/2021/04/05/liga-mx-power-rankings-cruz-azul-back-no-1/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Nos. 9-13 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-486437" src=https://playingfor90.com/2021/04/05/liga-mx-power-rankings-cruz-azul-back-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%2F2018%2F08%2F1269446672-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX Power Rankings 12" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Puebla scored four second-half goals against Toluca despite playing with 10 men, earning a thrilling 4-4 draw on the road. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Jostling for wild-card spots</h3>
<h2>9. Puebla (–2)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 4-5-3 17 points</strong></p>
<p>The Camoteros are the surprise of the season and their ranking here might appear to be a slight since <em>“La Franja”</em> sits a comfortable 7th in the standings. That could change, though, as none of their next four opponents sits higher than 11th and their final match is at home against the wounded Guerreros of Santos Laguna.</p>
<h2>10. Pachuca (+4)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 3-4-5 14 points</strong></p>
<p>The Tuzos waited 10 weeks to get their first win of the Guardianes 2021 and they have not lost since (OK, that’s only three games …). Coach Paulo Pezzolano somehow held onto his job despite the 0-4-5 start and suddenly Pachuca is thinking playoffs. Much will be learned from Sunday’s visit to UNAM, the team that eliminated the Tuzos from the playoffs last season.</p>
<h2>11. Mazatlán FC (–1)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 4-2-6 14 points</strong></p>
<p>The Purple Gang stunned the Tigres on Matchday 11 then gave América all it could handle heading into the FIFA break, but inconsistency has been the club’s bugaboo (losses to FC Juárez and Atlético de San Luis). Coach Tomás Boy knows his club must start collecting points to remain in the playoff hunt. Upcoming matches against Puebla and Tijuana will be key tests.</p>
<h2>12. UNAM (+4)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 3-3-6 12 points</strong></p>
<p>Last year’s finalists finally got a road win but it didn’t come without controversy as Atlético de San Luis saw three goals annulled in the Pumas’ 1-0 victory. And Juan Ignacio Dinenno’s game-winner came from the penalty spot in minute 81. Coach Andrés Lillini is managing the weakest offense in Liga MX and <em>“los Auriazules”</em> are at risk of missing the playoffs altogether.</p>
<h2>13. Tigres (–2)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 3-3-5 12 points</strong></p>
<p>Did the Tigres come back from the FIFA Club World Cup too big for their britches? After making history by becoming the first Liga MX team to reach the Final (losing to Bayern Munich by 1-0 on a disputed goal), coach “Tuca” Ferretti and his ambush of Tigers have fallen flat on their collective faces. A visit to struggling Querétaro should help, but América comes calling after that. And the <em>“Clásico Regiomontano”</em> awaits on Matchday 16.</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/2021/04/05/liga-mx-power-rankings-cruz-azul-back-no-1/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Nos. 14-18 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-486439" src=https://playingfor90.com/2021/04/05/liga-mx-power-rankings-cruz-azul-back-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%2F2018%2F08%2F1308170809-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX Power Rankings 12" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Atlético de San Luis coach Leonel Rocco and his players were livid at ref Marco Antonio Ortiz’s decisions in their Matchday 12 tilt against the Pumas. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>A collection of Liga MX also-rans</h3>
<h2>14. Atlético de San Luis (–2)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 3-3-6 12 points</strong></p>
<p>The Tuneros have every right to feel aggrieved as they saw a legitimate goal waved off and were punished by a questionable ejection just before the half in their 1-0 loss to UNAM. To make matters worse, co-owners Atlético de Madrid are re-considering their investment. A hefty fine awaits this summer if they can’t escape the “Relegation Zone.”</p>
<h2>15. Guadalajara (—)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 2-6-3 12 points</strong></p>
<p>Fans are hoping the six Chivas who helped El Tri earn qualification to the Tokyo Olympics will make an inspirational return and spark a playoff run. There’s no doubt that <em>“El Rebaño Sagrado”</em> have been the biggest underachievers in Liga MX and their stretch run is a veritable gauntlet (third-place Santos Laguna up next, with Cruz Azul, Monterrey and the Tigres still to come). Coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich knows its “win or pack your bags” for him.</p>
<h2>16. Querétaro (–6)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 4-2-6 14 points</strong></p>
<p>The Gallos Blancos closed out the Guardianes 2020 on a 9-game winless streak and their current run of form (1 win in their last 7 games) suggests they are again experiencing a late-season fade. They’ll have to hope that the Tigres continue their midseason catnap if they hope to reverse their fortunes.</p>
<h2>17. Necaxa (+1)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 2-4-6 10 points</strong></p>
<p>The Rayos climbed out of the cellar with an uninspiring win over FC Juárez in their first game with “Memo” Vázquez back in charge, but with a visit to América looming their celebration should have been short-lived. Then again, you have to go back to April 2017 to find the last time América defeated Necaxa in a Liga MX match.</p>
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<h2>18. FC Juárez (–1)</h2>
<p><strong>Record: 2-3-6 9 points</strong></p>
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