The Liga MX Clausura 2017 is still in its early stages with Week 2 of the competition just wrapping up. There have been several controversies and surprises early on, indicating that we are in for an exciting tournament. After a thrilling 2-1 victory over Club America, Toluca F.C lead the way in the Power Rankings for this week.
2. Liga MX Week 2 Power Rankings (Teams #12 to 7):
12.Tiburones Rojos of Veracruz
Tiburones have looked decent to start off the tournament; Carlos Reinoso and all his fresh signings are working hard in their fight against relegation. A win against Queretaro and a slight loss to Santos Laguna is nothing to frown about especially with many of the players just starting to adapt to playing with Veracruz. Next Friday they will have a tough task against Atlas F.C at the Estadio Luis Pirata Fuente.
11. Monarcas Morelia
Morelia have managed to secure four crucial points in their battle for relegation. They are also the only team in the Liga MX who is yet to be scored on. That all has been because of goalkeeper Carlos Felipe Rodriguez, but overall, they still have not looked that great. The tie against Queretaro this week was not impressive as Queretaro looks to be one of the worst teams in the Clausura 2017. Pablo Marini’s men were also dominated in Week 1 against Xolos of Tijuana, despite getting the victory. Morelia will have to work harder in their fight against relegation in 2017.
10.Chivas of Guadalajara
Surprised to see the ‘rojiblancos’ so low on the list? Well, Chivas has been a disaster so far this season, despite what the results might say. Chivas was not good in their season-opener against Pumas UNAM, at best Guadalajara should have tied that game. Then against Monterrey, the players lost their control and received two red cards, including one to captain, Jair Pereira. It was a miracle that they managed to keep the score level at 2-2.
9. Club Leon
Leon’s results to this point of the tournament have been deceiving; in Week 1 they lost 4-2 to Pachuca and in Week 1 they won 1-0 against Necaxa. The loss against Pachuca is controversial because Franco Jara deceived the referee to earn a penalty for the ‘Tuzos’. The penalty turned out to be critical in the game as it did change the course of the game early in the 27th minute. Then the win against Necaxa is very impressive as this marks the first time Necaxa have lost at home since making it back to the Liga MX last season.
8. Cruz Azul
The new leadership of Paco Jemez has really helped the ‘Cementeros’ be more motivated and aspire to win. Even in their 1-0 loss to Pumas UNAM, Cruz Azul was impressive even after Gabriel Peñalba received an unjust red card. Their defense has really looked impressive, applying pressure at all times to their opponents and only allowing one goal in two weeks.
7. Atlas F.C.
Atlas was a completely different team in Week 2 than they were in Week 1. Having Leiton Jimenez and Fidel Martinez starting against Tigres UANL made a big difference for the ‘Zorros’ as they won 2-0. Martinez and Matias Alustiza showed that they will be a deadly duo this season. Clifford Aboagye was also impressive in his Liga MX debut; the Ghanaian midfielder will provide more options for Jose Cruz’s team going forward.
