Liga MX ETO Power Rankings: Clausura 2022 Round 5
Feb. 15, 2022 – Going into this past weekend, we expected the biggest headline to be a matchup that would tell us more about the top two teams in the Liga MX table. They gave us a game that had everything you would want as a fan – high stakes, emotion, great plays, controversy, a dramatic ending – and, ultimately, no change in terms of their positions in the standings or the separation between the two of them.
Puebla and Atlas are two of the three remaining undefeated teams in Clausura 2022, and are still at the top of the standings, separated only by goal differential. Not surprisingly, they were also the clear-cut top two in the latest edition of our weekly power rankings, with no other team receiving a first- or second-place vote from our blue-ribbon panel.
But the top of the table is bunched together – only two points separate the top seven teams – and the Round 6 schedule features a matchup of two unbeatens (Puebla vs. Monterrey) and a matchup of two squads in the top six (Atlas vs. Pumas). So, as definitive as these rankings were this time, they could look very different when we do them again next week. Until then, read ‘em and weep:
1. Puebla (3-2-0, 11 pts., +6 GD, 1st in Liga MX)
Not gonna lie – we’re absolute suckers for “top plays.” When we see something on the level of the game-saving stoppage-time golazo by Guillermo Martínez Friday, we relish the opportunity to watch it back as many times as possible, and appreciate it from different angles and perspectives. Whether or not you’ve seen the possible game-tying goal by now, here’s your chance to do the same…
And again…
And again, in a more artistic form…
2. Atlas (3-2-0, +11 pts., +4 GD, 2nd in Liga MX)
Glass half-full: Even after finishing with a draw against Puebla, Atlas has still had a strong enough run overall to be just beneath the top of the table. Glass half-empty: As a byproduct of that draw, Los Rojinegros missed out on becoming Super Lideres for the first time since Round 2 of Apertura 2017. Their next game is an Apertura 2021 semifinal rematch against Pumas at home; and before that, a showcase game as they take on Austin FC in an MLS preseason friendly.
3. Tigres (3-1-1, 10 pts., +2 GD, 5th in Liga MX)
In what seemed like an intriguing game heading into the weekend, Tigres came away with a decisive win over Chivas and closed in on the top of the table. They’ve scored 9 goals during a three-game win streak, which they could easily extend to four against a weak San Luis team this weekend. André-Pierre Gignac scored for the third straight game, and his scissor kick would’ve been the best goal of the round if not for Guillermo Martínez one night earlier. Regardless, if Gignac scores in each of UANL’s next two games, he’ll match the longest goal streak of his club career, accomplished in Guardianes 2020.
4. Pachuca (3-1-1, 10 pts., +4 GD, 3rd in Liga MX)
As with Atlas, it’s good news/bad news. Oscar Ustari’s late-game play in goal was the main reason Tuzos were able to hold on for a draw against Querétaro (and, thanks to another Cruzazuleada, move up to 3rd in the table). Whether it should’ve been a draw is another story: Ángel Sepúlveda’s backheel equalizer was a great goal; but in general, as manager Guillermo Almada said, the game didn’t unfold well and Pachuca’s defense was lacking. Their next opportunity to become Super Lideres takes place against an América squad that, while largely disappointing, is at least coming off its first win of the season.
5. Pumas (3-0-2, 9 pts., +6 GD, 6th in Liga MX)
Back in our top five after just missing the cut last week. Pumas snapped a two-game losing streak by beating León, to begin a stretch of five games in two weeks. Still to come in that span: Both legs of the CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16, the aforementioned road game against Atlas, and an Apertura 2021 quarterfinal rematch against América.
Also receiving votes: Cruz Azul.
Dropped from last week’s rankings: Cruz Azul.
Do you agree or disagree with our rankings? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment, and be sure to tune in Thursday at 9 pm E.T./6pm E.T. for the latest episode of El Mexican Soccer Podcast as we get you set for Round 6 of Clausura 2022!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
El Tri Online was founded in December 2017 to serve English-speaking fans of Mexican Soccer. Our mission is to create compelling Mexican soccer content and share it via our website, streaming apps, social media, and any other medium for English-dominant Mexican-American fans of the Mexican National Team, Liga MX, and their players.
Please email us at info@eltrionline.com if you have any questions or to join the team at gigs@eltrionline.com
