Back in action: Where every team in Liga MX stands post-FIFA international window

León

• League position: 2nd, with 14 points (4 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss).
• Last 3 games: León 1-1 Club América, León 1-1 Santos Laguna, Chivas 0-3 León.
• Next 3 games: @Tigres, (Interrupted by a Leagues Cup semifinal against Pumas), vs. Juárez, @Atlas.
• Best player thus far: Omar Fernández. Although a case could be made for Ángel Mena, who has three goals to his name in the tournament, the mobile and talented Fernández has taken over the ‘Esmeralda’ attack after his recent arrival from Puebla. The dynamic Colombian opens up spaces and provides incisive passes that the likes of Víctor Dávila and Elías Hernández, with two goals each, have taken advantage of.
• Coming up: A visit to the Estadio Universitario to witness what Miguel Herrera’s high-scoring Tigres are capable of. A loss could see León drop to the sixth spot on the table.
• Good news: Leon’s ample squad should be able to cope with any injury its internationals sustain while out with their national teams. Will it finally be Santiago Ormeño’s time to shine?
• Bad news: Ángel Mena has taken part in all of Ecuador’s games in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying. He will need time to fully recover.

Toluca

• League position: 3rd, with 14 points (4 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss).
• Last 3 games: Toluca 2-1 Pumas, Atlas 0-0 Toluca, Toluca 2-2 Mazatlán.
• Next 3 games: @Pachuca, vs. América, @Monterrey.
• Best player thus far: Rubens Sambueza. The seemingly ageless attacker is the puppet master of Liga MX’s joint-highest scoring team, managing four goals and five assists, forming a terrifying forward partnership with Alexis Canelo, who has already scored three goals of his own.
• Coming up: A trip to Pachuca to face a disappointing ‘Tuzos’ side that only has two wins and sits 13th. Toluca will not have an easy game against a team playing only its third home match in the league.
• Good news: Most of Toluca’s key players such as Sambueza, Canelo, Kevin Castañeda and Raúl López, weren’t called up for international duty. Everybody should be fresh to continue the team’s strong form under returning manager Hernán Cristante.
• Bad news: Miguel Barbieri, who had been strong at central defense, will miss the rest of the tournament due to a knee injury sustained against Pumas. Finding a replacement will be key.

Tigres UANL

• League position: 4th, with 12 points (3 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss).
• Last 3 games: Tigres 1-1 Atlas, Mazatlán 0-3 Tigres, Tigres 3-0 Querétaro.
• Next 3 games: vs. León, @Monterrey, vs. Pumas.
• Best player thus far: Nicolás López. Forgotten by Ricardo Ferretti and a key player under Herrera, ‘El Diente’ is Liga MX’s top scorer with six goals in seven matches. Aregular penalty taker for the ‘Felinos’, the Uruguayan forward has properly filled an injured André-Pierre Gignac’s shoes.
• Coming up: A top of the table clash against León. A win is a must for Tigres, since a loss combined with other teams winning could see Herrera’s side drop as far as 12th, a week ahead of the ‘Clásico Regio’ against Monterrey.
• Good news: Gignac is back in training, following an injury sustained after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• Bad news: Gignac’s full return is far from certain, and with Florian Thauvin yet to fully settle into Mexican soccer, Tigres could fall under immense pressure in case of a loss with the Monterrey game coming up.

Santos Laguna

• League position: 5th, with 11 points (2 wins and 6 draws).
• Last 3 games: Santos 2-0 Juárez, León 1-1 Santos, Santos 1-1 Atlas.
• Next 3 games: @Xolos, (Interrupted by a Leagues Cup semifinal against Seattle Sounders), vs. Puebla, vs. Monterrey.
• Best player thus far: Diego Valdés. The Chilean playmaker has managed two goals and two assists for the unbeaten Torreón side. Every ball going forward passes through Valdés, who has formed a solid alliance in midfield with Fernando Gorriarán, another strong contender for best player.
• Coming up: A visit to Tijuana to face the third-worst team in the league. Xolos is yet to win a single game in the Grita México A21, so the pressure will definitely be a factor, for one side or the other.
• Good news: Gibrán Lajud had a good outing in goal against Juárez, a 2-0 ‘Lagunero’ win, making it seem as if Carlos Acevedo had never even been injured.
• Bad news: Acevedo is the starter for a reason, and the outstanding recent performances from the team captain will be sorely missed, even if Lajud can properly fill in. The Mexican goalkeeper is set to miss approximately three to four more weeks of action after his injury against León towards the end of August.

  

Monterrey

• League position: 6th, with 11 points (2 wins, 5 draws).
• Last 3 games: Xolos 2-2 Monterrey, Monterrey 0-0 Chivas, Monterrey 3-1 Pachuca.
• Next 3 games: @Atlas, (Interrupted by the SCCL semifinal second leg against Cruz Azul), vs. Tigres, vs. Toluca.
• Best player thus far: Rogelio Funes Mori. Misfiring forthe Mexican National Team, ‘El Mellizo’ is Rayados’ top league scorer with three goals. A case could be made for ‘Charly’ Rodríguez, who scored a wonder goal against Xolos; his first game after earning the Bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• Coming up: Facing Atlas in the Estadio Jalisco. Los ‘Rojinegros’ will be looking for their first win in the last five games when they line up against Javier Aguirre’s side on Saturday. Funes Mori, Jesús Gallardo and César Montes will be returning from international duty.
• Good news: A win could put ‘Rayados’ within three points of first place, if other results combine in their favor.
• Bad news: Vincent Janssen is still not recovered from an injury suffered in August and will most likely be out until October. If something happens to Funes Mori, ‘Rayados’ have no natural replacements up top unless Duván Vergara and Joel Campbell take up thestriker role.

Cruz Azul

• League position: 7th, with 10 points (2 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss).
• Last 3 games: Cruz Azul 1-1 Pachuca, Atlético de San Luis 0-0 Cruz Azul, Cruz Azul 1-1 Monterrey.
• Next 3 games: @Juárez, (Interrupted by the SCCL semifinal second leg against Monterrey), vs. Querétaro, @Puebla.
• Best player thus far: Santiago Giménez. Jonathan Rodríguez has seen a sharp drop in form, scoring a single penalty kick in the current league season. ‘El Bebote’ has stepped up to lead ‘La Máquina’’s attack, scoring four times and assisting once.
• Coming up: A matchup against Ferretti’s Juárez in the Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez. It’s unusual to see a ‘Tuca’ side at the bottom of the table, but that doesn’t mean the visit will be a simple one, since the ‘Bravos’ are still desperately looking for their first win of the season.
• Good news: With an inspired Julio César Domínguez receiving his first call-up to the Mexican national team in three years, and with Luis Romo, Roberto Alvarado and Orbelín Pineda returning to the squad post-FIFA break, ‘La Máquina’ seems a totally renovated team, unless…
• Bad news: Goalkeeper Jesús Corona is still out with an injury, and the Cruz Azulmight be down up to 11 players due to recent international call-ups.

Atlas

• League position: 8th, with 10 points (2 wins, 4 draw, 1 loss).
• Last 3 games: Tigres 1-1 Atlas, Atlas 0-0 Toluca, Santos Laguna 1-1 Atlas.
• Next 3 games: vs. Monterrey, @Necaxa, vs. León.
• Best player thus far: Julián Quiñones. Ever since arriving on loan from Tigres, the Colombian forward has been the main threat in attack for the ‘Rojinegros’. Julio Furch leads the team with two goals, but Quiñones has proven integral for Diego Cocca’s side going forward, starting all but one league game.
• Coming up: Playing Monterrey away is never a simple task, and with Atlas holding a four-game winless streak, the game is bound to be entertaining. One of the two wins for the ‘Zorros’ this season was on the road, in Pachuca’s stadium; a game where Furch scored the game’s only goal early in the first half.
• Good news: After missing his first tournament with the club due to injury, Furch seems to be back in full fitness. Cocca himself has praised the forward’s physical shape, which will be key if Atlas want to make a Liguilla playoff push.
• Bad news: Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas and Peruvian defender Anderson Santamaría are in doubt for Saturday’s game due to international duty.

Atlético de San Luis

• League position: 9th, with 9 points (2 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss). Week 5 game pending against Pachuca.
• Last 3 games: Mazatlán 2-2 Atlético de San Luis, Atlético de San Luis 0-0 Cruz Azul, Atlético de San Luis 0-2 Necaxa.
• Next 3 games: @Puebla, vs. Xolos, @Juárez.
• Best player thus far: Germán Berterame. The Argentinian left winger is by far the best offensive asset for the ‘Potosinos’, providing a dynamic edge to an otherwise tame side up front. Both Berterame and striker Andrés Vombergar have scored two goals this season, a much needed contribution to Liga MX’s sixth-poorest offense.
• Coming up: Standing on the edge of the Liguilla ‘Reclasificación’ spots, awarded to the first 12 teams, a win in Puebla’s Estadio Cuauhtémoc would propel Atlético de San Luis towards what seemed an unlikely top 4 at the beginning of the season.
• Good news: Barring injuries, the squad will be fully rested after the FIFA break, looking to win for the first time since Week 3.
• Bad news: The club announced that Damián Batallini, Facundo Waller and Vladimir Moragrega are injured, so they won’t be present for the Puebla game.

Necaxa

• League position: 10th, with 9 points (3 wins, 4 losses).
• Last 3 games: Chivas 2-1 Necaxa, Necaxa 1-0 Juárez, Necaxa 3-0 Pumas.
• Next 3 games: @Querétaro, vs. Atlas, @Pachuca.
• Best player thus far: Alejandro Zendejas. The diminutive and multifaceted attacker has scored four goals in the Grita México A21, in spite of missing a penalty kick against former club Chivas. The left-footed player, who can play as a winger or an attacking midfielder, is showing the entire league what the ‘Rebaño Sagrado’ is missing out on.
• Coming up: The Sunday night game in the ‘Estadio Corregidora’ will be manager Leo Ramos’ first game in charge of the ‘Gallos Blancos’, after Héctor Altamirano was dismissed towards the end of August. It is up to Memo Vazquez’s men, who have only won or lost this season without even drawing, to show their good side in the push for a direct Liguilla playoff spot.
• Good news: Necaxa have threats other than Zendejas, such as attacker Luis García, who scoredtwo goals in his last two matches. The former Atlante man is paying Vázquez’s confidence back with goals, which he will continue to do in Querétaro.
• Bad news: Even though Zendejas is only 23, he is already the main ‘Hidrorrayo’ threat in attack. His missed penalty against Chivas will surely be bouncing around his mind, but it is up to him to recover from the kind of moment that can either make or break a player mid-tournament.

Chivas

• League position: 11th, with 9 points (2 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses).
• Last 3 games: Chivas 2-1 Necaxa, Monterrey 0-0 Chivas, Chivas 0-3 León.
• Next 3 games: @Pumas, vs. Pachuca, @Club América.
• Best player thus far: Isaác Brizuela. ‘El Conejito’ has been deployed as a right back, in midfield and as a right winger and has more than done the job for Víctor Manuel Vucetich, scoring two goals in the process. Brizuela adequately filled in for Olympic medalists Alexis Vega, Uriel Antuna, and Fernando Beltrán.
• Coming up: In a remake of the Clausura 2004 final that signalled Pumas’ first title under Hugo Sánchez, Guadalajara will visit Mexico City on Sunday to win their second game in a row for the first time this season. The game will be played in the afternoon; a blessing for those who know how boiling hot the Estadio Universitario pitch can get at noon.
• Good news: There aren’t many of those inside ‘El Redil’ at the moment, but Uriel Antuna not playing regularly for the Mexican national team does mean he will return well rested and ready to play for his club… unlike Vega.
• Bad news: Vega injured his ankle in Mexico’s World Cup qualifying game against Costa Rica, and had to be substituted in the first half. Reports in the Mexican press indicate Chivas’ main man could miss up to 6 weeks.

Mazatlán

• League position: 12th, with 9 points (2 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses).
• Last 3 games: Mazatlán 2-2 Atlético de San Luis, Mazatlán 0-3 Tigres, Toluca 2-2 Mazatlán.
• Next 3 games: @Club América, vs. Pumas, @Xolos.
• Best player thus far: Camilo Sanvezzo. The Brazilian veteran leads the team with three goals and an assist, and proved what the ‘Cañoneros’ can be when he’s at his best at the beginning of the current league campaign, when Mazatlán beat both Cruz Azul and Pachuca. The former Querétaro man seems to be forming a formidable partnership with fellow countryman Giovanni Augusto, who recently scored two goals against Atlético de San Luis. More are sure to follow.
• Coming up: A challenging trip to the Estadio Azteca to face league leaders Club América. The ‘Águilas’ boast the league’s joint-best defensive record and with internationals back in the fold, will look to extend their lead up top. Mazatlán have their work cut out for them.
• Good news: The last ‘Cañonero’ win in Liga MX was back in July, which means motivation to get back on the victory trail will surely not be amiss.
• Bad news: Nicolás Benedetti will not arrive to the Sinaloan team,what seemed like a certainty in the past couple of days. The Colombian’s high wage expectations were reportedly the main reason for the failed transfer.

Pachuca

• League position: 13th, with 7 points (2 wins, 1 tie, 3 losses). Week 5 game pending against Atlético de San Luis.
• Last 3 games: Cruz Azul 1-1 Pachuca, Querétaro 0-2 Pachuca, Monterrey 3-1 Pachuca.
• Next 3 games: vs. Toluca, @Chivas, vs. Necaxa.
• Best player thus far: Víctor Guzmán. A toss up between him and Avilés Hurtado, Guzmán can play in center midfield and in various attacking positions, something he has proven consistently in the past. Although ‘El Pocho’ only has two goals to his name in the current campaign, he is key to every ‘Tuzo’ attack and will be so for the rest of the Grita México A21.
• Coming up: Hosting high-scoring Toluca. The ‘Diablos Rojos’ are immensely threatening in attack, with an in-form Rubens Sambueza and a confident Alexis Canelo spearheading the ‘Choricero’ offensive. It will take a mountain to stop Hernan Cristante’s men from scoring, but Pachuca need to do so if they want their third league win of the semester.
• Good news: Recent arrivals Nicolás Ibañez and Hurtado have disappointed during the tournament’s first half, but will hope to take advantage of the FIFA break to give the ‘Hidalguenses’ the forward push they require. Yairo Moreno will be coming back from international duty, signifying what manager Paulo Pezzolano will hope to be the missing piece to finally form a successful attack.
• Bad news: Facing the league’s joint-best offensive while having a central defense comprised by veterans Cabral, Óscar Murillo and Miguel Herrera, not particularly known for their speed. Beating the ‘Mexiquenses’: one of the more tasking objectives for the ‘Tuzos’ this season.

  

Puebla

• League position: 14th, with 6 points (1 win, 3 draws, 3 losses).
• Last 3 games: Puebla 1-0 Querétaro, Pumas 2-0 Puebla, Xolos 1-1 Puebla.
• Next 3 games: vs. Atlético de San Luis, @Santos Laguna, vs. Cruz Azul.
• Best player thus far: Life without Santiago Ormeño and Omar Fernández, both poached by León, has not been easy for Nicolás Larcamón’s side but Christian Tabó has stepped up to the plate. The heir of Fernandez’s number 10 and his role in the ‘Camotero’ attack, the Colombian is one of Puebla’s most important threats going forward, in spite of Puebla being joint-second of the league’s worst scoring records. No Tabó, no party.
• Coming up: Opening the doors of the Estadio Cuauhtémoc for Atlético de San Luis, Puebla are looking for their second straight win of the league campaign, after only beating 10-men Querétaro with a lone Daniel Álvarez goal in their last game. The ‘Potosinos’’ only two wins have come on the road, against Chivas and Pumas, a dangerous trend to consider for the 14th-placed squad.
• Good news: Larcamon’s men thrashed second-division side Coyotes de Tlaxcala 5-0 during the international window, with former Chivas striker Guillermo Martínez scoring a hat-trick in the process. Maintaining momentum will be key for Puebla if they hope to climb out of the bottom of the table.
• Bad news: The Argentine manager’s tenure is in danger,according to the Mexican press, with the 2020 semifinal run seemingly forgotten. With controversial José Luis Sánchez Solá asking for yet another chance at managing his beloved former team, the pressure will most certainly be on for Larcamón.

Pumas

• League position: 15th, with 5 points (1 win, 2 draws, 4 losses).
• Last 3 games: Toluca 2-1 Pumas, Pumas 2-0 Puebla, Necaxa 3-0 Pumas.
• Next 3 games: vs. Chivas, (Interrupted by a Leagues Cup semifinal against León), @Mazatlán, @Tigres.
• Best player thus far: It’s difficult to find one, but in a team where goals are scarce, Juan Ignacio Dinenno has to be the call. In spite of his recent antics against Toluca that got him sent off in added time, the Argentinian has scored twice for the ‘Universitarios’- both penalty kicks- and will be of high importance if the side from Ciudad Universitaria want to make a late Liguilla playoff spot push.
• Coming up: Hosting Chivas. A rare Sunday afternoon game against a ‘Rojiblanco’ team that usually struggles in the stadium where they lost the Clausura 2004 final, Pumas doesn’t have much room for error in the Grita México A21, since a loss could see them drop to the last spot in the league table. The pressure is on for what will be a weakened ‘Universitario’ side, after the multiple red cards against Toluca.
• Good news: With Jesús Ramírez out as sporting director and the arrival of the iconic Miguel Mejía Barón as sporting vice president, a fresh start might be just what Pumas needs to dig themselves out of the rut and get back to winning ways. To cope with the loss of Johan Vásquez to Genoa during the latest transfer window, the ‘Azul y Oro’ need to remember what led them to a Liga MX final not that long ago.
• Bad news: No Alan Mozo, Ángel García or Dinenno available against Chivas after a hectic Toluca match. Pumas will field a weakened side against a ‘Rojiblanco’ side with several Mexican national team members.

Tijuana

• League position: 16th, with 3 points (0 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses).
• Last 3 games: Xolos 2-2 Monterrey, América 2-0 Xolos, Xolos 1-1 Puebla.
• Next 3 games: vs. Santos Laguna, @Atlético de San Luis, vs. Mazatlán.
• Best player thus far: Lucas Rodríguez. Recently arrived from Estudiantes de la Plata, the left-sided attacker has started the last six league games for the border side, boasting two goals and an assist for a team that is yet to win in the Grita México A21. The few attacking threats for Robert Dante Siboldi’s side usually start with Rodríguez, who needs to improve his connection up top with Mauro Manotas if wins are to come for Xolos.
• Coming up: Hosting fifth-placed Santos Laguna in a crucial match, there is no room for error for a team that has sorely disappointed this semester in spite of several high-profile signings. If Siboldi’s men do not get the three points this week, they could be kissing their Liguilla ‘Reclasificación’ aspirations goodbye.
• Good news: Both Manotas and Vladimir Loroña scored against a tough Monterrey side; the first time Xolos got themselves more than one goal in a single game this season. Continuing to do so will be key for survival, but the question is whether or not they can achieve it.
• Bad news: Visiting Atlético de San Luis with less than a week’s rest after the Santos game could be a double-edged sword for Xolos, considering a loss this week will be a tough blow to recover from.

Querétaro

• League position: 17th, with 3 points (0 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses).
• Last 3 games: Puebla 1-0 Querétaro, Querétaro 0-2 Pachuca, Tigres 3-0 Querétaro.
• Next 3 games: vs. Necaxa, @Cruz Azul, @Juárez.
• Best player thus far: Tough to say, but seeing how the ‘Gallos Blancos’ have only scored once this season, Nicolás Sosa has to be the chosen one. ‘NicKiller’ struck against Atlético de San Luis in the second gameweek, but has struggled to do it again since he doesn’t have much help up top other than veteran Pablo Barrera and Kevin Ramírez.
• Coming up: Leo Ramos’ managerial debut against Necaxa at home. As previously mentioned, the ‘Hidrorrayos’ have never drawn this season, which is why we can expect a dynamic matchup on Sunday, with Querétaro needing a win to avoid falling to the bottom of the league in case Juárez wins.
• Good news: After four losses in their last five games, a tie or a win will be seen as a positive result.
• Bad news: Querétaro has the league’s worst offensive record, and is facing a Necaxa side that has kept three clean sheets in their last four matches.

Juárez

• League position: 18th, with 2 points (0 wins, 2 draws, 5 losses).
• Last 3 games: Santos Laguna 2-0 Juárez, Necaxa 1-0 Juárez, Club América 2-1 Juárez.
• Next 3 games: vs. Cruz Azul, @León, vs. Atlético de San Luis.
• Best player thus far: Gabriel Fernández. The Uruguayan forward has scored three times in four games, and seems to be a bright light in an otherwise tepid striking force. A brace against Chivas solidified Ricardo Ferretti’s decision to bring him in on loan from Celta de Vigo in the summer.
• Coming up: Facing the current Liga MX champions will be no easy task for the ‘Bravos’, who hold the worst defensive record in the league by conceding 13 goals. ‘La Máquina’ boast one of the league’s best squads and with an in-form Santiago Giménez leading the line, Juárez will need to put in their best performance of the season to win even a single point.
• Good news: Cruz Azul could have as many as 11 players missing due to international call-ups and injury; a much needed break for a side that is yet to win this season.
• Bad news: Juárez will be without starting center back Maximiliano Olivera, who was red-carded in the 2-0 defeat to Santos. ‘Tuca’ is no stranger to adjusting, but a fraile defensive side losing a strong defensive asset is no good news.