Oh yes, Liga MX is back. After a short break, 16 teams were back in action at the start of the Liga MX Clausura 2017 (Jaguares v América has been postponed for the time being), each playing with a clean slate and rejuvenated hope of glory. It was a true Mexican weekend, with a whopping 23 goals scored in just eight games.
Here are five things to think about from Jornada 1:
1 Hirving Lozano Soars
If Week 1 is any indication, Andre-Pierre Gignac’s may have to give up his title of best player in Liga MX. Lozano scored a hat trick for Pachuca and single-handedly dismantled León. He was head and shoulders above everyone else out there and La Fiera had no answer for him. As long as Chucky stays put in Mexico, teams will be fearful of Pachuca because of him alone.
2 Bad News for Jaguares
Jaguares may not have played a game this week, but that didn’t stop it from being a terrible ‘jornada’ for the southern club. Veracruz and Morelia, their two biggest relegation rivals, both won, while they watched from their televisions. Of course, Jaguares do have a game in hand now, but that game is against América, who they’ll be lucky to earn a draw against, let alone a win.
3 New Look Cruz Azul
In their first game under new skipper Francisco Jemez, Cruz Azul emerged victorious over Necaxa in a very impressive showing. With a suffocating defense, La Maquina held the apertura semi-finalists to no shots on target, and looked comfortable throughout the match. It’s been 5 seasons since Cruz Azul last made the playoffs, but early on it looks like they are more than capable of getting back to the promised land this clausura.
4 Chivas Strike
Perhaps unsatisfied with their Apertura 2016 results, Chivas stormed out of the gates to take a 2-0 lead over Pumas UNAM in the first half (goals from Chofis and Pulido) and assert themselves as the real deal. Even with Pulido all alone up front, Chivas attacked relentlessly. They would go on to win 2-1, but the message was sent: look out for Chivas, they’re trophy hungry.
5 Atlas Flounder
After being gifted the lead just 30 seconds into their match against Toluca via an own goal, it looked like Atlas were going to start their season off on the right foot. Sadly for Foxes fans, from that point on they were dreadful. Toluca proceeded to beat them 4-1, while Atlas failed to truly threaten for the remainder of the game. Los Zorros are not currently in danger of being relegated, but next year they will almost certainly be in trouble unless they can find some success during this season.
