Tigres, Pachuca Send Liga MX Message In Week 4

Another week of action in Liga MX gave us some great results. Here are the biggest takeaways from this weekend.

Santos make it three straight

Santos Laguna have now made it three straight wins and put themselves at the top end of the league table. An early brace from Bryan Babello in the 23rd and 25th minutes was all the north Mexican side needed to brush aside Queretaro. The team seems to be clicking really well headed into February and are not only making a case to be a Liguilla team, but are also setting themselves nicely heading into their CONCACAF Champions League match later this month. Queretaro just can’t seem to get out of first gear in league action, and continue to fail to produce any real chances in front of goal.

Veracruz still winless

Veracruz and Tijuana met in the Friday nightcap match. The first half was a high octane affair that saw Veracruz jump out to a 2-0 lead by the half hour mark. In a matter of five minutes, though, Tijuana was able to battle back with goals in the 33rd and 38th minutes. One of the goals came from Henry Martin, who has played well for Tijuana this season and could be called up for Mexico later in the week.  The sides wound up in a 2-2 deadlock, leaving Veracruz winless after four matches while Tijuana have taken five points from their opening four games.

Cruz Azul get their first win

Pressure started to mount for one of Mexico’s historically bigger clubs as Cruz Azul entered Saturday’s match against Chiapas winless in their first three matches. After going behind early from a penalty, it looked like The Blue Machine would struggle again to get a result. Yet, even after going down to 10 men, Cruz Azul showed the type of fight that they haven’t showed all year. In the second half they battled back to take the lead and collect their first win. It was a much needed win for Cruz Azul, and if this team can find momentum going forward in the season they can be dangerous and get themselves in the Liguilla.

Relegation battle goes to the home team

Entering Saturday, Monarcas was sitting three points behind Chivas in the relegation table, meaning their matchup was big in terms of who could possibly drop from the Liga MX. Neither team had won a game yet between the six matches they had played this season, leaving them in desperate need of points. While Chivas played well and were the more aggressive side, their inability to finish in front of goal was damaging. Monarcas took advantage of that with a goal in each half, including a beautiful breakaway chip shot in the second half. While it looks like both teams will be saved from relegation by how dismal Dorados have looked this season, the way the Mexican relegation system works this result could have lingering effects not just this year, but in the future as well.

Andre Gignac and Tigres send their message

It only took one half of Leon’s visit to Tigres for the Universitarios to show they're still the cream of the crop in Liga MX. It also only took one half to remind the rest of the league that Tigres might have the best player in the league, as French international Andre Gignac had a hat-trick by the 45th minute in a 3-1 drubbing. Leon entered the match with a perfect record, but in a rematch of last season’s quarterfinal matchup, they were no match for Tigres. While the defeat in the short term isn’t a big problem, Leon will now have to continue the rest of their season without head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi. Pizzi has been named the latest Chile National Team manager, which means Olympic Gold Medal winning coach Luis Fernando Tena will take over Leon. It’s disappointing for Leon fans as it looked like things were clicking so well for them under Pizzi.

Pachuca dismantle another contender

A week after shaming Club America 4-1, Pachuca hosted Monterrey and their perfect record. After a scoreless first half, it only took a span of 12 minutes for Pachuca to take complete control over Monterrey and take a demanding 3-0 lead. While Monterrey grabbed a goal back in the final minute, it was too little too late. Pachuca now sit on the top of the league table, and are the only undefeated team left in Liga MX, which speaks volumes about the parity of the league that only one team has yet to lose after four games. Not only are Pachuca undefeated, but have been impressive this season, specific against America last week and Monterrey this week.

Pumas take a point late

Pumas and Atlas entertained the masses Saturday night with both teams looking to get their second wins of the season. Although Pumas dominated the first half, they saw themselves down 1-0 in the 15th minute after a wonderful long distance goal from Atlas. Pumas came close a few times to equalizing, but some great goalkeeping and goalline clearances from the Zorros defense kept Pumas at bay. In the second half both the game was a back and forth affair and the drama was ramped up late with a 90th minute PK for Pumas. Lalo Herrera would step up to the spot to find his shot stopped. In the last minute of play though, Pumas finally found the back of the net. Subsequent replays showed the goal was offsides, but Pumas left Guadalajara with a point and Atlas were left with two points dropped.

America demolish sad Dorados

After being beaten at home 4-1 last week, America traveled to face Dorados in the perfect match to bounce back from such a defeat. America dominated from the start and didn’t let Dorados get anything started. The halftime lead of 2-0 by America was too great for Dorados, and by the end it was 3-0. Dorados have now gone four games not just without a point, but without a goal. They sit at the bottom of the relegation table, and four games into season they’ve already let go of their head coach Luis Fernando Suarez. There’s still 13 games left, but Dorados look doomed to return to the second division after only one year in Liga MX.

Puebla earn point at the death

Toluca hosted Puebla to finish the week of Liga MX action. Toluca looked to have all three points wrapped up until in the very last minute when defender Alberto Acosta scored the tying goal for Puebla. Toluca should be absolutely kicking themselves for not closing the game out earlier and letting that lead and all three points slip away.

*Top eight teams qualify to Liguilla

Relegation: Entering the season Veracruz were just ahead of everyone else below them in the relegation battle, yet after four games without getting a win they’re another bad week away from being dragged down in the mud of the relegation battle with the rest of the teams. Puebla stay six points ahead of Chivas and Morelia with that last ditch draw at Toluca. With Morelia beating Chivas, they’ve now jumped them in the relegation battle. Chivas now sit second to last and one spot ahead of the drop to the second division. Luckily for everyone involved, Dorados sit firmly in the bottom of the relegation table and without gaining a point or a goal they look stuck in the mud at the bottom.

*The team with the lowest percentage is relegated to Liga Asenso