Nicolás López scored in the Clásico Regio, his fourth goal in three games. (Photo by Alfredo Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Tigres climb into Top 4 for first time this season
Angel Mena is getting hot, rediscovering the form that led León to the No. 1 seed during the Clausura 2019 and that’s great news for La Fiera. Mena has scored in three consecutive games, including two splendid goals that were his first from open play since March 14.
The Esmeraldas have ridden a 9-game unbeaten streak and a league-best defense to the top of the Liga MX standings, a week after they rose to No. 1 in our Power Rankings.
The No. 5 Tigres had been mired in the middle of the table until coach “Tuca” Ferretti went against grain and turned to a pair of young playmakers. Desperate for offense, “Tuca” subbed out his favored veterans and sent Leo Fernández and Nicolás López into the fray. The resulting 3-game win streak has the Tigres in the hunt for a playoff bye.
Without further delay, here is the Playing for 90 Power Rankings after Matchday 12. The figure in parentheses after the team name indicates movement (same, up, down) related to the previous rankings.
1. León (—)
The Esmeraldas are looking like the Clausura 2019 juggernaut with their flowing offense and stingy defense. I’m not saying they’ll go on a 12-game wins streak, but coach Ignacio Ambriz has his team playing extraordinary fútbol.
2. Cruz Azul (+1)
The Cementeros fell out of first place in the Liga MX standings by settling for a scoreless draw against a wounded América team. Twenty shots on goal, but too many sprayed wildly. They were also deprived of a penalty.
3. América (+1)
The Aguilas lost goalie Guillermo Ochoa to a pre-game injury then saw two central defenders limp off during the match against Cruz Azul. No problem, Oscar Jiménez pulled on Ochoa’s gloves and put on a show.
4. Tigres (+1)
I was tempted to slot the Tigres above América, but finally relented. Coach “Tuca” Ferretti can convince me otherwise by remaining aggressive with his tactical formations.
5. UNAM (–3)
The Pumas complained about the lack of respect they’ve been given despite not losing a match until Week 11. After a tough loss to León, they nearly lost at home to the worst team in Liga MX albeit playing with 10 men for 75 minutes. They can shut us all up next weekend with a win against América.
6. Monterrey (—)
The Rayados find themselves this high in the Power Rankings only because of inconsistent performances by other teams and by virtue of their talented roster. But if they continue to under-perform, their playoff experience will be short-lived.
7. Pachuca (—)
The Tuzos brought in veteran strikers over the summer but none seems prepared to take up the scoring duties. This is a solid team that needs to find better offensive tactics.
8. Guadalajara (+1)
The Chivas again benefited from a questionable whistle that resulted in a penalty and an expulsion. However, they’ll be without skipper Jesús Molina, out for a month with strained knee ligaments.
the previous rankings</a>.</p>
<h2>1. León (—)</h2>
<p>The Esmeraldas are looking like the Clausura 2019 juggernaut with their flowing offense and stingy defense. I’m not saying they’ll go on a 12-game wins streak, but coach Ignacio Ambriz has his team playing extraordinary <em>fútbol</em>.</p>
<h2>2. Cruz Azul (+1)</h2>
<p>The Cementeros fell out of first place in the Liga MX standings by settling for a scoreless draw against a wounded América team. Twenty shots on goal, but too many sprayed wildly. They were also deprived of a penalty.</p>
<h2>3. América (+1)</h2>
<p>The Aguilas lost goalie Guillermo Ochoa to a pre-game injury then saw two central defenders limp off during the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/29/leon-tops-liga-mx-power-rankings/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apdW_v1WBHA%22>match against Cruz Azul</a>. No problem, Oscar Jiménez pulled on Ochoa’s gloves and put on a show.</p>
<h2>4. Tigres (+1)</h2>
<p>I was tempted to slot the Tigres above América, but finally relented. Coach “Tuca” Ferretti can convince me otherwise by remaining aggressive with his tactical formations.</p>
<h2>5. UNAM (–3)</h2>
<p>The Pumas complained about the lack of respect they’ve been given despite not losing a match until Week 11. After a tough loss to León, they nearly lost at home to the worst team in Liga MX albeit playing with 10 men for 75 minutes. They can shut us all up next weekend with a win against América.</p>
<h2>6. Monterrey (—)</h2>
<p>The Rayados find themselves this high in the Power Rankings only because of inconsistent performances by other teams and by virtue of their talented roster. But if they continue to under-perform, their playoff experience will be short-lived.</p>
<h2>7. Pachuca (—)</h2>
<p>The Tuzos brought in veteran strikers over the summer but none seems prepared to take up the scoring duties. This is a solid team that needs to find better offensive tactics.</p>
<h2>8. Guadalajara (+1)</h2>
<p>The Chivas again benefited from a questionable whistle that resulted in a penalty and an expulsion. However, they’ll be without skipper Jesús Molina, out for a month with strained knee ligaments.</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/2020/09/29/leon-tops-liga-mx-power-rankings/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Nos. 9-18 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-484809" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/29/leon-tops-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%2F1276715652-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX Rankings 12" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Querétaro raced out to a 3-1 lead against Puebla, but the Camoteros refused to concede. (Photo by Carlos Pacheco/Jam Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Atlas makes a meek push as Gallos, Bravos slide</h3>
<h2>9. Santos (+1)</h2>
<p>The Guerreros did not play this past weekend so they should be fresh. Coach Guillermo Almada seems poised to make a push up the standings.</p>
<h2>10. Querétaro (–2)</h2>
<p>The Gallos can’t win on the road and that could see them start to tumble down the rankings. Can’t prop them up simply for overachieving. Results count.</p>
<h2>11. Atlas (+3)</h2>
<p>The Zorros are playing well since Diego Cocca took over after Matchday 5. They did just enough to get past FC Juárez, moving to 2-2-1 under the new coach.</p>
<h2>12. Puebla (–1)</h2>
<p>The Camoteros play with a purpose and credit goes to coach Juan Reynoso. The exciting fightback from a 2-goal deficit against Querétaro earned a measure of respect.</p>
<h2>13. FC Juárez (–2)</h2>
<p>If it weren’t for bad luck, the Bravos would have no luck at all. They simply can’t get any traction and an early own goal was too much to overcome against Atlas.</p>
<h2>14. Tijuana (–1)</h2>
<p>The Xolos have missed two games due to a Covid outbreak and it is still not certain that they’ll be cleared to resume their schedule just yet.</p>
<h2>15. Mazatlán FC (—)</h2>
<p>It is entirely reasonable to question Paco Palencia’s line-up decisions. This team has talent, but the coach seems to be enthralled with a few players who are not producing while benching a couple that have been productive.</p>
<h2>16. Toluca (—)</h2>
<p>The Diablos are somehow still in the playoff hunt despite going winless in September. Tenth in the league standings, but these Power Rankings reflect their performance more accurately. And now they are looking for a coach.</p>
<h2>17. Atlético de San Luis (—)</h2>
<p>Coach “Memo” Vázquez appears to be playing out the string, fully aware that he’d have been fired for now if not for the hefty severance package he’d be owed.</p>
<h2>18. Necaxa (—)</h2>
<p>The Rayos look like a poorly coached team that lacks confidence in its own ability … and with reason.</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/2020/09/29/leon-tops-liga-mx-power-rankings/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Odds and Ends </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-484810" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/29/leon-tops-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%2F1168851009-850x560.jpeg" alt="Liga MX Rankings 12" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Team Mexico coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>El Tri intrudes as Liga MX heads toward home stretch</h3>
<p>Team Mexico finally made a reappearance last week as coach “Tata” Martino held a three-day mini-camp in preparation for El Tri’s first game in 10 months.</p>
<p>The last time the national team played was on Nov. 19, 2019. That was a blasé 2-1 win over Bermuda in a Concacaf Nations League match. Sebastián Córdova equalized in minute 27 and Uriel Antuna nailed the winner 3 minutes into injury time.</p>
<p>The coronavirus pandemic then intervened and “Tata” was left with little to do but wait it out.</p>
<p>El Tri is back in action Wednesday night against Guatemala in a friendly. But even this has not gone as planned.</p>
<p>Costa Rica was the original opponent, but <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/29/leon-tops-liga-mx-power-rankings/"https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2020/9/22/21451430/costa-rica-drop-out-of-september-30-friendly-against-mexico-due-to-covid-19-coronavirus">the <em>“Ticos”</em> backed out</a> over Covid concerns. Mexico is still among the Top 4 nations in the world for most virus-related deaths and Costa Rica chose to avoid potential risk.</p>
<p>In stepped Guatemala at the last minute, and the Central Americans will face a team comprised entirely of locally based players.</p>
<p>As such, several Liga MX coaches will be sweating out the week, hoping their stars don’t return with knocks and bruises, or worse. América goalie “Memo” Ochoa missed the <em>Clásico Joven</em> when he suffered a pre-game injury. Aguilas management was quick to blame the El Tri mini-camp he attended.</p>
<p>Matches against Guatemala can get rather rugged, so Mexico’s players should consider quick passing and avoiding crowds (and scything legs). It would be a shame if the home stretch of the Guardianes 2020 is adversely impacted by an injury during this brief national team intermission.</p>
<h2>Liga MX streaks and slumps</h2>
<p>Inconsistent form and fitness issues were always going to be a concern during the pandemic and it has played out in negative fashion for some teams.</p>
<p>Toluca was 4-0-2 after blanking the Chivas on Matchday 6, in second place and dreaming about earning a playoff bye as a Top 4 finisher. Since then, the Diablos have gone 0-2-4, completing a winless September with a scoreless draw at Pachuca. Suddenly, they are shakily on the Liga MX playoff bubble.</p>
<p>On Monday, the “Choriceros” fired coach José Manuel de la Torre. The Diablos host Cruz Azul on Sunday.</p>
<p>In the “You Never Know” Department, we present the Puebla-Querétaro match. A lousy road team played the worst Liga MX home team, yet the two hapless clubs provided us with <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/29/leon-tops-liga-mx-power-rankings/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM8IVc-gLgM%22>a 3-3 gem of a game</a>.</p>
<p>Host Puebla overcame a late 3-1 deficit, snagging the equalizer in minute 90+1. The result confirmed their shortcomings. Puebla is now 1-2-3 at Estadio Cuauhtémoc for a league-low 5 points; away from Querétaro, the Gallos Blancos are winless, sporting a lousy 0-2-5 record.</p>
<p>Only three other Liga MX teams are winless on the road after 12 games (Mazatlán, Necaxa and Tijuana).</p>
<p>For its part, Necaxa extended its winless road streak to six after sweating out a draw at UNAM. No surprise, the Rayos haven’t won at the CU since January 2008.</p>
<p>On Saturday, however, <em>“Los HidroCálidos”</em> played more than 75 minutes with a man advantage but could not protect an early 1-0 lead. Well, at least they ended their losing streak which had reached five, but Necaxa’s road record fell to 0-2-3.</p>
<p>One club did get off the schneid this weekend. Atlas earned its first road win of the Guardianes 2020 on Friday night, riding an early own-goal to a 1-0 win at FC Juárez in the Snoozer of the Weekend.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Clásico Regio topped Week 12 slate" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/26/clasico-regio-highlights-liga-mx-12/" 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/2020/09/29/leon-tops-liga-mx-power-rankings/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/26/clasico-regio-highlights-liga-mx-12/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Clásico Regio topped Week 12 slate </a> </div>
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<p>On the positive side of the ledger, León extended the league’s longest unbeaten streak to 7-2-0 with its win at San Luis. The Esmeraldas snared the lofty spot by snapping UNAM’s season-opening 10-game run, a mark they should be able to match with Mazatlán coming to town Friday.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">