Ake Loba (left) scored a brace for Monterrey. (Photo by Alfredo Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Puebla is biggest riser, while Toluca plummets six spots
After seven games, the Liga MX Power Rankings are still rather fluid but the cream is starting to rise to the top.
We’re still seeing some wild yo-yoing and I expect that to continue as Liga MX teams learn to cope with these unusual times. Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc (the Tigres have been hard hit of late and defender Jorge Torres Nilo tested positive heading into the weekend) and players who have recovered from the virus have struggled to regain fitness.
The upcoming schedule – four games in 15 days – could also expose teams who lack roster depth, further shaking up these Power Rankings. However, this condensed run of matches could help many teams find their equilibrium and settle into their appropriate slots. It would not be a surprise if a sense of order is not evident until the stretch run.
In this week’s rankings, Puebla was the biggest riser (up 4 spots) after a dominating 4-1 rout of then-No. 2 Toluca. That loss caused the Diablos to plummet 6 spots, the biggest drop in the rankings.
So without further ado, here are the Playing for 90 Power Rankings after seven Liga MX matchdays. As always, the figure in parentheses after the team name indicates the club’s movement from the previous rankings. The second line includes the team’s record (wins-ties-losses), total points, goals for and goals against.
1. Cruz Azul (–)
5-1-1, 16 points, 14 GF, 5 GA
The last time the Cementeros lost at Estadio Azteca was on Jan. 11 so Saturday was just another night in the park as “Cabecita” Rodríguez scored twice and “La Máquina Azul” cruised to an easy win over Necaxa. Coach Robert Siboldi continues to tweak his line-up, giving plenty of faces playing time. That should serve the Cementeros well as they push through this gauntlet of four games that the Liga MX schedule has cooked up for everybody.
2. Monterrey (+1)
3-3-1, 12 points, 12 GF, 8 GA
Break out the champagne! The Rayados have won back-to-back games for the first time since 2019. Even so, Monterrey was profligate in front of net with striker Rogelio Funes Mori missing four clear scoring chances. Fortunately, new starter Ake Loba netted twice to help the Rayados edge past a feisty FC Juárez unit.
3. León (+2)
4-2-1, 14 points, 6 GF, 4 GA
The Esmeraldas are still not finishing well, failing to score in the final 25 minutes against Atlas despite playing with a man advantage. Still, coach Ignacio Ambriz probably liked what he saw just before halftime in the club’s 2-1 victory as Fernando Navarro provided a nifty assist to equalize then scored after shaking free from two defenders inside the box. Ambriz switched back to a 4-1-3-2 after a one-game experiment with a 5-man back line and his team seemed more comfortable. The Esmeraldas still lack a killer up front, but are winning with possession and defense.
4. América (–)
4-1-2, 13 points, 14 GF, 11 GA
The Aguilas toughed out a 2-1 win over lowly Atlético de San Luis, but could have succumbed to despair after losing defensive stalwart Bruno Valdez for the season. Coach Miguel Herrera is sure to rotate his line-up freely, especially with Nico Benedetti, Gio dos Santos and Andrés Ibarguen all returning to fitness. Of course, those three are offensive players and the greater concern will be shoring up the back line. We may see some of recent signing Luis Fuentes in the coming weeks.
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<p>In this week’s rankings, Puebla was the biggest riser (up 4 spots) after a dominating 4-1 rout of then-No. 2 Toluca. That loss caused the Diablos to plummet 6 spots, the biggest drop in the rankings.</p>
<p>So without further ado, here are the Playing for 90 Power Rankings after seven Liga MX matchdays. As always, the figure in parentheses after the team name indicates the club’s movement from <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/01/cementeros-liga-mx-power-rankings/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/08/25/liga-mx-power-rankings-cementeros-top/">the previous rankings</a>. The second line includes the team’s record (wins-ties-losses), total points, goals for and goals against.</p>
<h2>1. Cruz Azul (–)</h2>
<p>5-1-1, 16 points, 14 GF, 5 GA</p>
<p>The last time the Cementeros lost at Estadio Azteca was on Jan. 11 so Saturday was just another night in the park as “Cabecita” Rodríguez scored twice and “La Máquina Azul” cruised to <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/01/cementeros-liga-mx-power-rankings/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5apAE2cGGmA%22>an easy win over Necaxa</a>. Coach Robert Siboldi continues to tweak his line-up, giving plenty of faces playing time. That should serve the Cementeros well as they push through this gauntlet of four games that the Liga MX schedule has cooked up for everybody.</p>
<h2>2. Monterrey (+1)</h2>
<p>3-3-1, 12 points, 12 GF, 8 GA</p>
<p>Break out the champagne! The Rayados have won back-to-back games for the first time since 2019. Even so, Monterrey was profligate in front of net with striker Rogelio Funes Mori missing four clear scoring chances. Fortunately, new starter Ake Loba netted twice to help the Rayados edge past a feisty FC Juárez unit.</p>
<h2>3. León (+2)</h2>
<p>4-2-1, 14 points, 6 GF, 4 GA</p>
<p>The Esmeraldas are still not finishing well, failing to score in the final 25 minutes against Atlas despite playing with a man advantage. Still, coach Ignacio Ambriz probably liked what he saw just before halftime in the club’s 2-1 victory as Fernando Navarro provided a nifty assist to equalize then scored after shaking free from two defenders inside the box. Ambriz switched back to a 4-1-3-2 after a one-game experiment with a 5-man back line and his team seemed more comfortable. The Esmeraldas still lack a killer up front, but are winning with possession and defense.</p>
<h2>4. América (–)</h2>
<p>4-1-2, 13 points, 14 GF, 11 GA</p>
<p>The Aguilas toughed out a 2-1 win over lowly Atlético de San Luis, but could have succumbed to despair after losing defensive stalwart Bruno Valdez for the season. Coach Miguel Herrera is sure to rotate his line-up freely, especially with Nico Benedetti, Gio dos Santos and Andrés Ibarguen all returning to fitness. Of course, those three are offensive players and the greater concern will be shoring up the back line. We may see some of recent signing Luis Fuentes in the coming weeks.</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/2020/09/01/cementeros-liga-mx-power-rankings/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Nos. 5-12 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-484249" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/01/cementeros-liga-mx-power-rankings/"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%2F1269727150-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX Power Rankings 7" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Bryan Mendoza celebrates with coach Andrés Lillini after scoring from midfield (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Pumas still unbeaten, Tigres no longer Liga MX front-runner</h3>
<h2>5. UNAM (+2)</h2>
<p>3-4-0, 13 points, 11 GF, 6 GA</p>
<p>The Pumas remain the only undefeated team in Liga MX after snapping a run of four straight draws with an impressive 3-0 win over Tijuana. Striker Carlos González returned to the starting line-up after being benched last week and he responded with a brace. Coach Andrés Lillini appears to be pulling all the right strings and the youngsters are rewarding his faith in them.</p>
<h2>6. Pachuca (+3)</h2>
<p>3-2-2, 11 points, 8 GF, 7 GA</p>
<p>The Tuzos did not deserve to climb 3 spots based on their performance against the Chivas but benefit by poorer performances by the Tigres and Toluca. Pachuca played conservatively against Guadalajara, satisfied to collect a point on the road. Coach Paulo Pezzolano is likely salivating over the chance to work newcomers Leo Ramos and Víctor Guzmán into the starting line-up and both are likely to see plenty of action in the coming three-game stretch.</p>
<h2>7. Tigres (-1)</h2>
<p>2-4-1, 10 points, 10 GF, 7 GA</p>
<p>The powerhouse club dropped points late for the third consecutive match when <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/01/cementeros-liga-mx-power-rankings/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwPY1Sq1w1E%22>Mazatl%c3%a1n found an equalizer in minute 90+7</a> off a corner kick. Coach “Tuca” Ferretti is stubbornly sticking to his conservative style and the veteran line-up appears to be going through the motions, expecting opponents to fold in the face of their “superiority.” But high salaries alone don’t win games and “Tuca” will likely have to juggle his starting unit to find a spark. Does he know Leo Fernández is on his roster?</p>
<h2>8. Toluca (-6)</h2>
<p>4-0-3, 12 points, 12 GF, 14 GA</p>
<p>I said last week that the Diablos were ranked too high, but “Chepo” de la Torre’s team was finding ways to win. That came crashing to a halt at Puebla and the loss showed that Toluca will have to figure out how not to be so dependent on Rubens Sambueza to create everything.</p>
<h2>9. Santos (+3)</h2>
<p>2-2-3, 8 points, 8 GF, 10 GA</p>
<p>The Guerreros extended their impressive home streak to 16-5-0 after a hard-fought 2-1 win over visiting Querétaro. Coach Guillermo Almada is still tinkering with his line-up, but replacing the injured Brian Lozano (broken leg) was never going to be an easy task. Forward Eduardo Aguirre is fighting hard, but he has yet to find a comfort zone alongside Julio Furch up front.</p>
<h2>10. Puebla (+4)</h2>
<p>3-1-3, 10 points, 11 GF, 7 GA</p>
<p>The Camoteros have been battling inconsistency but coach Juan Reynoso is hoping to build on his club’s <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/01/cementeros-liga-mx-power-rankings/"https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/liga-mx/puebla-vs-toluca-4-1-franja-revive-goleando-diablos-rojos">impressive 4-1 win over Toluca</a>. He’ll want to avoid another letdown against the lone remaining undefeated team in Liga MX when they visit UNAM on Saturday.</p>
<h2>11. Chivas (-3)</h2>
<p>2-2-3, 8 points, 4 GF, 5 GA</p>
<p>Guadalajara has let slip 7 of 12 points at home, falling to 1-2-1 after its second scoreless draw at Estadio Akron (against Pachuca). The Liga MX darlings are in disarray after a coaching change and <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/01/cementeros-liga-mx-power-rankings/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/08/27/chivas-drama-midweek-liga-mx-headlines/">discipline issues</a>. Coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich is now 1-1-1 (suffering two consecutive shut-outs) since taking over for Luis Fernando Tena. The Chivas visit the Tigres next. That is never an easy task.</p>
<h2>12. Necaxa (-2)</h2>
<p>2-2-3, 8 points, 5 GF, 10 GA</p>
<p>The Rayos should probably have tumbled farther after the stink bomb they dropped in Estadio Azteca against Cruz Azul. The modest club from Aguascalientes saw its four-game unbeaten streak snapped and continues to struggle with possession in the final third. Coach Alfonso Sosa has been waiting for talented forward Maxi Salas to regain fitness, while an injury to midfielder David Cabrera could weaken the defense. It’s time for newcomers – including striker Lucas Passerini – to step up.</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/2020/09/01/cementeros-liga-mx-power-rankings/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Nos. 13-18 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-484246" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/01/cementeros-liga-mx-power-rankings/"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%2F1269766712-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX Power Rankings 7" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Erik Vera of Querétaro (right) reacts after a Santos goal. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Gallos Blancos flutter back to earth, but remain in hunt</h3>
<h2>13. Querétaro (-2)</h2>
<p>2-1-4, 7 points, 9 GF, 9 GA</p>
<p>The back-to-back upsets of Cruz Azul and América are distant memories as the Gallos Blancos have now dropped two straight. After the club’s 2-1 loss at Santos Laguna, goalie Gil Alcalá penned an apology to teammates and fans, blaming himself for the two goals allowed. The first one was a blast into the upper-90 that he got a few fingers on, so it’s hard to criticize him for the that. The second was a point-blank header that he could have done more with but that’s the way the ball bounces sometimes. It’s great that he embraces accountability, but his mates need to produce some offense (no goals from open play the past two games).</p>
<h2>14. FC Juárez (-1)</h2>
<p>1-3-3, 6 points, 6 GF, 9 GA</p>
<p>The Bravos fight hard and will likely improve as midfielder Marco Fabián plays himself into shape. The former Mexico international started against Monterrey and made the centering pass that led to the opening goal. However, the team is not strong enough to sit on a 1-0 lead, especially against the top-tier teams, so coach Gabriel Caballero needs to find a way to get production from his forwards.</p>
<h2>15. Mazatlán FC (+1)</h2>
<p>1-3-3, 6 points, 8 GF, 12 GA</p>
<p>It’s seems well past time for coach Francisco Palencia to insert Camilo Sanvezzo into the starting line-up to add punch to the offense. The club is tactically sound and always offers a high work rate (led by skipper Aldo Rocha in midfield), but Mazatlán needs to score goals and the Brazilian striker has created opportunities as a late substitute since joining as a free agent on Aug. 13.</p>
<h2>16. Tijuana (-1)</h2>
<p>2-1-4, 7 points, 5 GF, 12 GA</p>
<p>The Xolos underwent a major overhaul this summer and are still adapting to new coach Pablo Guede’s tactics. The adjustment was made more difficult by the departure of starters Ariel Nahuelpán and Miller Bolaños who were released after a fight. Guede is a bright, patient coach so let’s hope management gives him time to work with the youngsters on the roster.</p>
<h2>17. Atlas (–)</h2>
<p>1-2-4, 5 points, 6 GF, 10 GA</p>
<p>The Zorros lack depth and midfielder Edgar Zaldívar went down with a nasty looking knee injury on Monday night. The biggest problem is that their forwards seem unable to create space. New coach Diego Cocca is only two games into the job but he doesn’t have much to work with.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="América faces challenges on defense" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2020/08/30/defensive-torment-liga-mx-america/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/01/cementeros-liga-mx-power-rankings/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/08/30/defensive-torment-liga-mx-america/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> América faces challenges on defense </a> </div>
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<h2>18. Atlético de San Luis (–)</h2>
<p>1-2-4, 5 points, 9 GF, 12 GA</p>
<p>The Tuneros truly lack an identity and coach Memo Vázquez has not figured out how to fit the pieces together. Forwards Nico Ibáñez and Mauro Quiroga have not worked well together. Ibáñez seems to be a “shoot first, consider a pass later” type of player which nullifies Quiroga’s strength as a give-and-go sniper. More worrisome is the failure to develop a playmaker.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">