Week 9 of the Liga MX Clausura 2017 contained some entertaining matches and some important results that made an impact on the standings in the League. Most notably Chivas and Pachuca won their respective games to be the two top teams in the standings, Chivas in first and Pachuca coming in second only because of goal differential. Here are the Power Rankings for week 9 of the Liga MX Clausura 2017.
2. Power Rankings Teams # 9-1
8.Santos Laguna
The ‘guerreros’ inability to be clinical enough in front of net, cost them their first loss of the Clausura, falling 2-1 to Pumas UNAM. All the draws the team has accumulated also seems to be backfiring now in eighth place with 12 points. A lot of those one point games could have been three had the players been more clinical in front of net.
7.Pumas UNAM
After four straight games without winning, Pumas finally, won again in the Liga MX, defeating Santos Laguna 2-1. The team has been a well-balanced team this tournament, that looks like a lock for the playoffs. It should be interesting to see how the team progresses in the tournament, and keep on seeing the progression of Nicolas Castillo as well, who already has six goals this Clausura.
6.Tigres UANL
The felines are improving coming from a 2-0 victory over Puebla in week 9 of the tournament. Eduardo Vargas has found his way into the starting 11 now and seems to be comfortable, having scored a goal against Puebla. The link up play between Luis Quinones and Vargas was also a spectacle to see in the game, both looking great in Ricardo Ferretti’s starting 11. Andre-Pierre Gignac also seems to have found his grove again, which can be huge for the team from Nuevo Leon.
5.Toluca
Toluca has now lost two straight Liga MX matches, falling 3-1 to Puebla in week 8 and 2-0 to Chivas in week 9. Hernan Cristante still has a very solid side built for instant success this Clausura. It should be interesting to see if the ‘diablos’ can bounce back next week against Cruz Azul.
4.Monterrey
After falling 2-0 to the Xolos in week 8, the ‘rayados’ have bounced back, beating Queretaro 4-1 at home. Antonio Mohamed has one of the best offenses in the league at his disposal and it is starting to show.
3.Pachuca
Pachuca played marvelous against Club Tijuana, coming away with an impressive 3-2 victory at the Estadio Caliente. Hirving Lozano was injured in the match, but the injury was said not to be serious, 18-year-old, Roberto Alvarado was impressive in Lozano’s absence scoring a goal. Franco Jara also stepped up scoring his fourth goal of the Clausura. Pachuca should be a force going forward if the offense can look as good as it did at the Estadio Caliente.
2.Chivas
Guadalajara had a convincing 2-0 victory against Toluca at the Estadio Chivas in week 9 of the Clausura. Chivas had not been all that convincing in recent performances, especially in week 9 when the team conceded three goals in four minutes and lost 4-3 against Chiapas. Alan Pulido was a key figure in the game providing two goals, and it will be interesting to see if he can keep up performances like this. It will also be interesting to see if Chivas can deliver more convincing performances like this.
1.Club Tijuana
The Xolos did lose 3-2 and were utterly dominated in the second half of the game by Pachuca. But of course, they were without key man, Guido Rodriguez shortly after the game was tied 1-1. With a complete team, Club Tijuana are one of the most well-balanced teams in the league. Miguel Herrera’s side should still be a force for weeks to come in the Clausura.
