Week 8 of the Liga MX Clausura 2017 was another amazing week of futbol in Mexico, delivering some surprising results. The most shocking results were with some of the relegation candidates in this tournament like Chiapas, Morelia, Puebla and…Cruz Azul.
Teams # 18-1
18.Leon
The ‘esmeraldas’ have not won in six straight weeks, most recently falling to Atlas away from home by a score of 2-0. Other teams who have hired new managers have recently found success, maybe it is time for Leon to do the same.
17.Monarcas Morelia
Morelia received a shocking 1-1 draw against Tigres UANL in week 8 of the competition, which goes a long way, since Veracruz lost to Pachuca. Morelia still seem like the side destined for the descenso, but positive results like the one in week 8 can prove to go a long way.
16.Necaxa
Necaxa was very lucky to get a point from its most recent match against Santos Laguna, which ended 2-2 at the Estadio Corona. Alfonso Sosa’s defensive style of play is not holding up in this tournament like it did in the Apertura 2016, which is resulting in unfavorable results for the club.
15.Veracruz
The ‘tiburones rojos’ did everything possible to conserve a 0-0 draw against Pachuca at the Estadio Hidalgo. Unfortunately, an error by goalkeeper, Meliton Hernandez in the 92nd minute of the match proved to be fatal for the team. Veracruz look like they have the fighting spirit, no pun intended, to remain as a team in the top-flight division of Mexican football.
14.Cruz Azul
You could argue that Cruz Azul has been one of the most attractive teams to watch in this Clausura 2017. They just have not been able to achieve the results, which has landed ‘la maquina’ in serious trouble. The Mexico City team is now only 10 points ahead of Morelia in the relegation table, which could present a problem in the imminent future.
13.Puebla
The ‘camoteros’ are a different team under Jose Cardozo, only allowing two goals and getting eight out of 12 possible points since his arrival. Puebla got the most shocking result of the jornada, beating Toluca 3-1 at the Estadio Nemesio Diez. The team which looked destined to descend is now ahead of Cruz Azul in the relegation table.
12.Club America
Slowly America is making strides to being a playoff team in this tournament, most recently by defeating Cruz Azul 2-0. The ‘aguilas’ were very lucky with the result, as Cruz Azul wasted several scoring opportunities throughout the game. Despite the victory in the ‘clasico joven’, the future of Ricardo La Volpe at the club is still a giant question mark.
11.Chiapas
Chiapas has to be one of the most enjoyable teams to watch in the Liga MX, despite the shaky situation with the franchise. The Jaguares have beaten Toluca, Tigres UANL, Club America and now Chivas as their four victories of the Clausura. The victory against Chivas was especially impressive as Chiapas were down 2-0 at half-time, then scored three goals in four minutes to take a 3-2 lead. The game ended in a huge 4-3 lead for the felines.
10.Tigres UANL
Tigres looked to be back to usual form, but just recently in week 8 tied 1-1 to relegation side, Monarcas Morelia at the Estadio Universitario. The positive from the game was that the felines did dominate the game, and Andre-Pierre Gignac found the back of the net for the second week in a row. The current-champions will make playoffs, and should contend for the title, once everybody is back to form.
9.Atlas
The ‘rojinegros’ got another win at the Estadio Jalisco, to no surprise, and beat Leon 2-0 this past weekend. Matias Alustiza finally, showed up on the scoresheet once again after not doing much of anything since week 2 of the competition. Atlas has potential to make the playoffs, if it can get a few more results way from home.
Teams # 8 -1
8.Pumas UNAM
Pumas has now not won in four straight games, conceding 10 goals in that span. Most recently Francisco Palencia’s team fell by a score of 4-3 to Queretaro away from home. Pumas did not look bad in the game, but turned up to late in the encounter. The team from the capital city still look like a playoff team that can possibly contend for the title.
7.Pachuca
The ‘tuzos’ had arguably the luckiest win of the jornada, as an error by Veracruz goalkeeper, Meliton Hernandez, in the dying minutes of the game allowed Pachuca to walk away with three points from the game. Before this result, Pachuca had not been on a great run, getting one win out of five games and scoring two goals in that span. The ‘tuzoz’ need to step it up to be considered a serious contender for the title this Clausura.
6.Queretaro
The ‘gallos blancos’ transition under Jaime Lozano has been impressive, obtaining 10 out of 12 possible points and scoring 11 goals in this span. Queretaro has won three consecutive games now and looks to be a dark horse to make the playoffs this Clausura.
5.Santos Laguna
The ‘guerreros’ are still the only undefeated team in the Liga MX Clausura 2017, the problem, they have tied six games in this tournament. Most recently Santos Laguna gave up a 2-1 lead in the 86th minute of the match to turn three points into one point against Necaxa. This has been a continuing trend for the club as it has tied the last four matches.
4.Monterrey
Monterrey was shut down against Club Tijuana in week 8 of the competition falling by a score of 2-0 at the Estadio Caliente. The ‘rayados’ showcased the downfall of the team, not playing to their full potential in certain matches. Dorlan Pabon still showed how much effort he gives in every match, even tracking down some of Tijuana’s players, doing defensive work. It will be interesting to see if Antonio Mohamed can get the full potential out of his players going forward in the competition.
3. Chivas
Guadalajara had a meltdown and lost 4-3 against Chiapas after winning two staright ‘clasicos’, against America and Atlas. Chivas still played beautifully in certain moments of the game, and should be contenders for the title in this tournament.
2. Toluca
The ‘diablos’ had a bit of a meltdown themselves losing 3-1, to relegation side, Puebla at home. The biggest downfall of the team in the game was wasted opportunities, which the team had plenty of in the game. Toluca is still a strong contender for the title in this Clausura and should be a lock to make the playoffs.
1.Club Tijuana
The Xolos of Tijuana have had some victories by wide margins this Clausura, most notably beating Leon 4-2 and Puebla 6-2. But in week 8 of the competition the border-city side, had its most dominant performance of the Clausura, beating Monterrey 2-0. The Xolos made their opposition look non-existent in the game. Tijuana will be an interesting team going forward, it will be interesting to see them in the playoffs.
