Liga MX ETO Power Rankings: Clausura 2022 Round 7
Feb. 28, 2022 – For this week’s Liga MX power rankings, the choices for the top three were clear. Each member of our blue-ribbon panel picked the same teams in some order: A Puebla squad that keeps finding ways to win; a surging Tigres squad, featuring the hottest player in the league; and a high-scoring Pachuca squad, featuring the second-hottest player in the league. You could make a realistic case for any of them as the best team overall.
After that is where we saw more divergence among our panel in the voting. The other teams in the top third of the standings have all shown signs of slipping, and not just this past weekend: Another Cruzazuleada, in stoppage time against Santos; Atlas finally losing (and going winless in their last three); and Pumas only managing a draw against a disappointing América squad. You could make a realistic case for or against any of these teams as well – and add León to the conversation now that they’ve won two straight.
This week sees a jornada doble beginning Tuesday; so we’ll release our next installment of these rankings next week, after the conclusion of Round 9. Until then, read ‘em and weep:
1. Puebla (5-2-0, 17 pts., +8 GD, 1st in Liga MX)
Naturally, much will be made of Chivas’ second-half collapse Saturday, as well as Marcelo Michel Leaño’s future as manager after a third straight loss. And yes, the controversy surrounding the game-tying goal was absolutely a factor in the outcome. In the bigger picture, La Franja is atop the standings for the fifth consecutive round, and the only remaining unbeaten team in the league. And, having pulled out some close games in each of the last three rounds – Guillermo Martinez’s stoppage-time golazo against Atlas; a win against Monterrey with ten men for much of the second half; and now, overcoming a 2-goal first-half deficit – Puebla continues to establish itself as a legit contender for its first championship since 1989-90.
2. Tigres (5-1-1, 16 pts., +4 GD, 3rd in Liga MX)
Up two spots from last week’s rankings, and on a five-game win streak. We’re running out of ways to contextualize the roll André-Pierre Gignac is on right now, but we’ll try: A brace against Juarez Friday gave him six goals on the season, tying Nicolás Ibáñez for most in the league this season; and extended his scoring streak to five games(!) – “only” good enough to tie the second-longest of his career(!!). If Gignac scores in Tigres’ next game, he’ll tie his career high – a six-game streak in Clausura 2016, during which he scored eight times total(!!!). Oh, by the way: That next game is Wednesday against Cruz Azul, who aren’t far behind in the standings.
3. Pachuca (5-1-1, 16 pts., +8 GD, 2nd in Liga MX)
Not since the first round of Apertura 2021 have Tuzos been at the top of the table, but that was the case – for a couple days, anyway – after they beat Mazatlán in the opening game of Round 7. With three goals in that game, Pachuca leads the league with 16 – and is on pace to not only lead the league in goals for the first time since Apertura 2016, but surpass its total of 36 from that season. Nicolás Ibáñez scored his sixth goal – making him the outright league leader, until André-Pierre Gignac tied him the next night. Two things to look forward to: 1) With another goal at Atlas Wednesday, Ibáñez would match the longest goal streak of his career (5 games, during Apertura 2019 with San Luis); and 2) Sunday’s game against Tigres, featuring the two highest-scoring teams and two highest-scoring players in the league, should be a lot of fun.
4. Pumas (3-2-2, 11 pts., +6 GD, 6th in Liga MX)
While a draw typically isn’t the end of the world, in this case Saturday night’s Clásico Capitalino felt like a missed opportunity for Pumas – scoring 0 goals for the second straight game; and failing to win at home against their biggest rivals, who are struggling right now. Two more lower-tier teams, Santos and Mazatlán, are on the slate for the double-round.
5. León (3-2-2, 11 pts., +1 GD, 7th in Liga MX)
León makes our top five for the first time this season, after just missing the cut last week. After losing two straight games, they’ve taken advantage of a weaker schedule lately, with wins against Chivas and Necaxa the last two rounds (as well as winning both legs against Gustatoya in the CONCACAF Champions League). Further on that point, seven of their remaining ten opponents are currently in the bottom half of the table.
Also receiving votes: Cruz Azul, San Luis, Atlas.
Dropped from last week’s rankings: Cruz Azul, Atlas.
Do you agree or disagree with our rankings? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment, and be sure to tune in on all of our social media platforms Thursday at 9pm E.T./6pm E.T. for the latest episode of El Mexican Soccer Podcast!
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