Liga MX ETO Power Rankings: Clausura 2022 Round 2
Jan. 17, 2022 – Two weeks into Clausura 2022, and we think we know who the top contenders are. Maybe. Kind of. Perhaps.
Pumas had two dominant games to start this tournament, enough to receive the majority of the votes for No. 1 in our weekly power rankings for the second straight week – and yet, not enough for two members of our blue-ribbon panel, who had them at No. 4 or lower. Meanwhile, three other teams each received one first-place vote, and the rest of the panel had them anywhere between 2nd and 5th. And none of this accounts for defending champion Atlas, who didn’t make our top 5 either week: While they didn’t show any signs of “campeonitis” in beating San Luis, they’re one game behind everyone else as their Round 1 game wasn’t scheduled for the first week of play. That will be resolved with a Gran Final rematch against León Wednesday, followed by a road game against América Saturday.
Meanwhile, we expect the rest of the Round 3 schedule – highlighted by Monterrey vs. Cruz Azul and Pumas vs. Tigres – to give us a better idea about the teams at the top of the table. Maybe. Kind of. Perhaps.
1. Pumas (2-0-0, 6 pts., +7 GD, 1st in Liga MX)
8 goals in 2 games, and there may be some history at stake against Tigres on Sunday. Pumas hasn’t scored 10 times in a 3-game span since Apertura 2018, and hasn’t scored 11 in 3 games since Apertura 2007 (including an 8-0 win vs. Veracruz!). If we’re looking at more lofty goals: The last time Pumas scored 12 in such a span was during Clausura 2004, and the last time they scored 13 was in Apertura 2002.
2. Cruz Azul (2-0-0, 6 pts., +3 GD, 3rd in Liga MX)
Same position as last week’s rankings. We could go on about how La Maquina’s offseason moves have paid immediate dividends, but we thought it’d be better to prove it visually (skip ahead to 0:11):
3. Puebla (1-1-0, 4 pts., +2 GD, 5th in Liga MX)
The biggest jump of any team from last week’s rankings, which had them just outside the top 5. They had the most surprising win of Round 2, ending Tigres’ undefeated streak at home…albeit with some “help” from an own goal from Carlos Salcedo and a late missed penalty kick by Andre-Pierre Gignac.
4. Pachuca (2-0-0, 6 pts., +3 GD, 2nd in Liga MX)
Same position as last week’s rankings. This is the first time they’ve won their first two games in a tournament since Clausura 2017 – and, like Puebla, not without some help (apologies to our own El Super Mojado for the following video):
5. Monterrey (1-1-0, 4 pts., +4 GD, 4th in Liga MX)
Also in the top 5 after just missing the cut last week. After going scoreless in the opener, Rayados scored three first-half goals en route to a 4-0 win at Necaxa – just their second win in their last 11 games (including Liguilla).
Also receiving votes: Toluca, Atlas, Tigres.
Chivas and Juarez dropped out after being included in last week’s rankings. Do you agree or disagree with our rankings? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment (below), and be sure to tune in Thursday at 9 pm E.T./6 pm E.T. for the latest episode of El Mexican Soccer Podcast as we get you set for Round 3!
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