El Tri Online’s 2019 Apertura Playoff Predictions

La Fiesta Grande of Mexican soccer begins on Wednesday and after 17 weeks of play, it’s time to determine who will walk into 2020 as champion. Anything can happen in postseason play and some of the El Tri Online staff voiced their opinions on who will take the crown. They also touch on different topics such as Team of the Decade and if the Tigres and America matchup is now considered a Clasico.

Quarterfinals Predictions

1) Santos vs. 8) Monterrey

2) León vs. 7) Morelia

3) Tigres vs. 6) América

4) Querétaro vs. 5) Necaxa

What teams will face each other in the Finals?

Ramon Chavez: Barring any major upset that disrupts the re-seeding, I’d say Santos and whoever the winner of the Tigres/America matchup is. Santos has been too consistent all season and America and Tigres have the firepower and the postseason experience to overcome any deficit. 

Joe Rodriguez: Santos Laguna vs Leon. To me, these two teams have been the best in Liga MX during the 2019 Apertura. Santos has proven time and time again, that when they get on a roll, they’re a team to be reckoned with. The team appears to have the full confidence of skipper Guillermo Almada and has the tools to make it to the final. For their part, Leon will likely make it back-to-back finals because of one player, JJ Macias. The young player has grown significantly this season and is riding a high that will help propel Leon all the way back to the final.

Ivan: The powerhouse teams like America and Monterrey are loaded with star power and have the savvy players to make a run, however, they have been inconsistent all season. With that being said Leon is the team to beat. They have grit and experience to win it all. My heart says America, but the manner this season has played out, Leon is the team to beat!

Fernando: I think the two finalists will be Santos and Necaxa. Santos showed consistency throughout the whole tournament. It was the team with the most victories of the tournament as well with most goals scored. They’re a dangerous team and they’ll know how to take advantage of playing the second legs at their home field. They’re a team that doesn’t lack goal opportunities. On the other hand, Necaxa has shown they’re capable of playing great soccer. The forwards are unstoppable, and with Mauro Quiroga as the top scorer, he can help Necaxa make it to the final stage

Luiz: Leon vs Monterrey. While Santos may have been the most consistent team this season, I believe they will fall to the Liga Mx Curse of the #1 seed and the final will be Leon vs Monterrey. Leon has not been as dominant as last season, but still has a solid defense, elite midfield, and dangerous attack that make them a serious contender. Los Rayados have seen a change and improvement since the return of El Turco Mohamed, his experience in La Liguilla may be a determining factor.

Super: I personally think that we will have a déjà vu in the final, Leon vs Tigres. Although Santos was the better team this season, I think they will fall to Monterrey. That will leave the number 2 and 3 seeded teams to face each other in “La Revancha”.

What team is winning the 2019 Apertura Championship?

Ramon Chavez – FiveThirtyEight is predicting that America has the best chance to win the championship, closely followed by Tigres and Santos. But based on what I’ve seen this season, Santos is getting their 7th “Estrellita”. Los Laguneros boast the highest-scoring offense this tournament and Brian Lozano is a difference-maker when he’s on the pitch. When Santos is clicking, they’re a scary team.

Joe Rodriguez: Leon will lift the trophy this season because collectively they’re a more dangerous team than Santos. In addition, Ignacio Ambriz will find a way to pump up his boys and make sure it’s not a repeat of last year’s demise versus Tigres.

Ivan Toribio: As I said before, my heart says America will put it together and they will win it all! However, Leon will be lifting this title and earning a trophy to its cabinet! 

Fernando: Santos will be crowned champions in this tournament. They’re a very balanced and complete team. A very solid defense and a sneaky and dangerous offense. Being the home team for the second legs is a big factor and playing the final in Torreón is gonna be tough for any other team. 

Luiz: Leon. Again, Leon is a well-built team and with JJ Macias and Angel Mena upfront they are a constant threat, and in Liga MX’s current format, it can more than makeup for a bad game.

Super: Leon. I think they will be very motivated from being so close to the title last year and now they have a second chance. They have a good team and this time they don’t have that extra pressure of being Superlider.

Who is your dark horse pick to win it all?

Ramon Chavez – If Monterrey can get by Santos, I can see them in the Finals. A deep squad led by Rogelio Funes Mori and Turco Mohamed back at the helm could make some noise. More on this later.

Joe Rodriguez: Morelia could be the dark horse if they beat Leon. As a matter-of-fact, in my opinion, the winner between Monarcas vs Leon will go on to win this year’s title. Morelia has momentum riding on their side. After starting out slow, the team from Michoacan picked up the pace and was able to finish in the seventh spot of the Liguilla. They will certainly cause trouble for anyone they face if they get past Leon.

Ivan Toribio: In my eyes, America has the tram to make it happen! They don’t have the depth from past years because of injuries and players departing to Europe, but they have a very talented starting 11 and if they can somehow manage to play as a unit; they will win the title for the 14th time!

Fernando: I think the dark horse for this season has been and still is Queretaro. Los Gallos Blancos have been a revelation this Apertura and have been shutting mouths all season long. This team is nothing compared to last season’s and most of us were not expecting such a drastic change in play. If they manage to beat Necaxa and whoever they play in the semifinal they’ll take the title.

Luiz: Queretaro. El Rey Midas has been able to get the most out of his players this season, performing well beyond expectations, his tactics and Liguilla experience may lead the Gallos to the Promise Land.

Super: I think that the winner of Queretaro vs Necaxa could definitely be the dark horse and surprise us all sneaking all the way to the final. Both teams had identical great seasons with their rankings separating them by goal differential. My prediction is that Gallos will advance

What player/team has the most to prove in the playoffs?

Ramon Chavez: America will always be held to a higher standard than any other team in LigaMX. Every season it’s “Championship or Bust” for America and with splashy signings like Memo Ochoa and Giovani Dos Santos joining the squad, even more, the pressure will be on them to succeed. Dos Santos, now recovered from the horrific injury against Chivas, will be counted on to be the difference-maker in the playoffs. Piojo Herrera’s team needs to make at least the finals to justify all their recent expenses.

Joe Rodriguez: The team with most to prove most is Santos. I only say that because if they win, they will prove the doubters that being the Super Leader in Liga MX is no longer a curse. Also to show that they’ll always be back on top, regardless of how long they sunk the season before.

Ivan Toribio: I believe JJ Macias needs this title more than any other player to solidify his presence as a supreme player in Liga MX. America made some impactful moves to get players in after losing players to injury and transfers to Europe, thus, they don’t have the depth from past seasons so the starting 11 need to showcase its talents to the max potential!

Fernando: As a player, I think Gio has a lot to prove. Going into the Liguilla with only one goal is a big disappointment for someone like him. If he doesn’t shine in the playoffs then he’ll prove everyone right regarding his career coming to an end and not being the same player he used to be when he was in Europe. As a team, I think Monterrey has to prove why they are the priciest squad of the league. The money they spent was not reflected in the regular season so it’s now or never. It’s embarrassing that a squad like Monterrey barely made it to the Liguilla 

Luiz: Santos. Specifically, Santos Coach Guillermo Almada. While Santos has been the most consistent team in the tournament, we all know the Liga MX Liguilla is a different beast. Will Almada’s tactics continue to be effective or will he fall victim to the aforementioned curse of the Superlider? 

Super: America, they had an irregular season and Piojo Herrera saw most of it from the stands, due to all of his suspensions. Also, their whole front line has to pick up the pace, part of their irregularity was that Nico Castillo, Gio, and Ibarra were very inconsistent, due to injuries and lack of rhythm.

What player/team will disappoint the most?

Ramon Chavez: Monterrey was able to sneak into the playoffs after defeating Atlas 2-0 (Crushing all the Chivahermanos’ dreams in the process) and earning the 8th seed. Unfortunately, their reward will be facing my pick to win it all, Santos Laguna. Turco Mohamed inherited a deep squad that has gone 8 straight games without defeat but Los Rayados will ultimately crash out against a more consistent and complete Santos squad.

Joe Rodriguez: America is likely to disappoint their fanbase because it’s unlikely that they lift the trophy when it’s all said and done. Regardless, the expectation of their fans is much higher than the rest of the Liga MX teams combined. Don’t be surprised by the early exit of the Liguilla at the hands of Tigres and Tuca Ferretti. 

Ivan Toribio: Anytime America loses in the playoffs it’s a disappointment. This season we have to add Monterrey and Tigers to that mix. They have the most talented teams with millions invested in non-Mexican born athletes.  On paper, they have star power and experience to win every year, however, this season that’s not the case.

Fernando: I think Tigres will disappoint the most. Being the current champions they’re expected to get crowned champions again. But they won’t. They’re going to lose against America and that is all we will hear from them this Liguilla, an embarrassing loss against America.

Luiz: America. America has one of the best squads in Liga MX but has been decimated by injuries and inconsistent play this season. Unfortunately for El Piojo, I don’t see this changing in the Liguilla and a first-round loss to Tigres is very possible.

Super: America. Once again their irregularity put them in a playoff spot against Tigres and I think that they will not be able to defeat Los Felinos.

The Twittersphere and Mexican soccer pundits have been at odds about this. Is Tigres/America a new Clasico?

Ramon Chavez – I’ll say no for now but if the next decade is anything like the 2010s, it could be. These 2 teams are the emblematic teams of the 2010s. Tigres started to pour money into its squad and now their lineups could easily fill in for the LigaMX All-Stars next year in Los Angeles. America has won 3 titles this decade and cemented itself as the top team in Mexico, while at the same exporting players to Europe such as Raul Jimenez, Diego Lainez, and Diego Reyes. Tigres and America are marquee matchups, but these matchups are nowhere near the intensity of a Clasico.

Yet.

Joe Rodriguez: It’s a slap in the face to the fans of Chivas to even remotely consider this to be at the same level as a Chivas vs America. El Super Clasico between the Goats and the Eagles is in a league of its own. Just on fanbase alone, Tigres is nowhere near the army of Chivahermanos that spread throughout the world. Even if Tigres would sweep the next 10 titles, their games versus America would not be at the same level as the ones against Chivas.

Ivan Toribio: I believe the Clásico will remain between Chivas and America! Tigres invested a plethora of money after years of being an average team. It has paid off after winning multiple titles. America is king in Liga MX and the rivalry between Chivas will take more than a team like Tigres winning in recent years.

Fernando: No, it is definitely not a clásico. I think a clásico has to have a rivalry passed down through many generations. This rivalry is only 5 or 6 years old and there are not that many people watching this game in order to be a Clásico. It’s still a great game though.

Luiz: While they have had great games recently, I wouldn’t consider it a Clasico yet. A few more matchups in the Liguilla and Finals and that may change. I still believe America’s top rival will always be Chivas and El Derby Regio will be more important to Tigres fans.

Super: Simple enough, NO. We gotta stop trying to call every game a Clásico.

8) With 2020 fast approaching, who has been your team of the 2010s?

Ramon Chavez – I hate to say it but the crown has to go to Tigres. Andre Pierre-Gignac and the rest of Los Universitarios have dominated LigaMX on their way to 5 league titles. Name a better glo-up than Tigres being at risk of relegation in 2010 to the team of the decade in 2019, you can’t. I just wished they could’ve had another crack at the Libertadores title.

Joe Rodriguez: Despite their games vs. America not being considered a Clasico, it doesn’t mean that Tigres is not the team of the decade. The moment that Tuca Ferretti took over, it changed the clubs fortune forever. Tigres has been a consistent power and will continue to be so as long as Ferretti stays in charge. 

Ivan Toribio: I have to give this to America. Not just for winning titles, but they have transferred players to Europe, the Mexican National Team has a good amount it players stemming from America and they are not the most hated team in Liga MX for nothing. Like Ramon stated, I do wish to see the top tier teams in Liga MX participate in Libertadores, but at this pace, it seems like Liga MX is teaming up with MLS.

Fernando: I think Tigres would be my team just because of their journey. They started the decade low in the relegation table with not much soccer.

Luiz: Tigres. It’s hard to argue with the success of Tigres. The fact that El Tuca has been ahead of the team for nearly the entire decade is a feat of its own. Add to that the fact that they’ve won multiple local and international trophies and their resume is quite impressive.

Super: Tigres, they have been the more regular team of the decade. Tuca Ferretti has given all Futbol Mexicano a lesson that if you give a manager the time to work, you will succeed. Tuca has built an empire that given him 5 titles and 2 runner ups in 10 years.