MEXICO CITY -- Following last weekend's Clasico, the short-lived idea of Club America stamping its authority on its biggest rival and coming out of the weekend as Liga MX's top team faded. Following its 1-1 draw at the Estadio Akron, not only did Miguel Herrera's team miss out on the chance to beat Chivas, but it also dropped out of the league's first-place spot, ceding it to a surging Santos Laguna team, who now sits atop Mexico's top division.
After 10 games, parity is the name of the game. Between first-place Santos and 11th-place Leon, there are only six points of separation. Here are the Power Rankings for Week 10:
1. SANTOS LAGUNA (+2)
Djaniny Tavares continues to set the league alight, with 12 goals this season. Tavares has scored more often than six whole teams, including Chivas. The Cape Verde international isn't the sole reason why Santos Laguna is doing so well this season, but there's little doubt Djaniny is the league's MVP thus far.
2. TIGRES UANL (no change)
Andre-Pierre Gignac is gaining steam in the Clausura 2018, and has scored seven goals this season, including his latest against relegation-threatened Veracruz. After a shock loss against UNAM earlier this year, Tigres have now gone undefeated for five consecutive games -- and just like their star French striker, they appear to be gaining steam at just the right time.
3. CLUB AMERICA (-2)
Much was said last week about Chivas having the potential to surprise its rivals in the Mexican Clasico. None of that talk appears to have reached Miguel Herrera. His team was outclassed in the first part of the game, falling behind 1-0 and making Guadalajara look like a better side than it's been. America bounced back and could've won the game, but another draw against an inferior team has to be disappointing.
4. TOLUCA (+2)
The Diablos Rojos displayed a bit of champagne football in their win, spearheaded by talented winger Rubens Sambueza, who registered an assist on Sunday against Pachuca. Very quietly, Toluca is putting together a strong season through 10 games, and is a good dark-horse candidate to make some noise in the postseason.
5. PUEBLA (+3)
Speaking of dark horses, Puebla has gone from a preseason relegation pick to a strong playoff candidate in little more than two months. Spearheaded by Alejandro Chumacero, Lucas Cavallini and a strong supporting cast, Puebla has wins this season against Tigres, Toluca, Chivas and now Monterrey.
6. CLUB TIJUANA (+1)
After a midseason lull, Xolos are back to the strong defensive play they showed at the start of the season. Against Lobos BUAP, they jumped out to a 3-0 lead before giving up a cheap goal toward the end. Under Diego Cocca, Xolos have regained the strong, consistent play they showed in the Miguel Herrera era.
7. MONTERREY (-2)
Rayados, like many other clubs in Liga MX, overlooked Puebla last weekend and paid the price. Despite holding an early lead, the northern Mexican side was overpowered by an underdog who just wouldn't quit, eventually dropping a 3-1 decision and receiving quite a bit of boos from their home crowd at the end of the match.
8. MORELIA (+3)
Simply put, a 2-1 home win against Atlas isn't all too impressive considering the Guadalajara side is the league's bottom dweller. However, Morelia has been better than advertised this year, dropping a few games it maybe shouldn't have if the ball bounced a certain way. The club remains primed to make the playoffs this season if it keeps playing its style.
9. PUMAS UNAM (-5)
The bottom is falling out for David Patino's squad. Another disappointing loss -- this time, 3-0 against Leon -- is compounded by the fact they looked lost and absolutely disjointed against a team that needed very little to pick them apart. Worse yet, after a hot start, Chilean international Nico Castillo has cooled off: he has just two goals since Jan. 14.
10. LEON (+2)
It's been feast or famine for Leon this season. Despite its unstable nature in the Clausura 2018, it was once again able to produce a big result when it needed it most. The 3-0 win over Pumas is just the shot in the arm it needed to keep pushing amid a tight Liga MX table.
11. QUERETARO (+3)
Just one loss in their past five league games for Gallos Blancos, who seem to be regaining confidence after a horrid start. A 1-0 away win over Cruz Azul is not too impressive given the Mexico City team's struggles, but there's no denying the three points could go a long way for Queretaro, who is just three points off the playoff pace.
12. PACHUCA (-2)
A loss against Toluca at the Nemesio Diez isn't reason enough to get too down, but Pachuca was in position to at least get a draw from the Diablos Rojos in their latest league tilt. The good news? Pachuca is still just one point off eighth-place Monterrey in the playoff hunt.
13. NECAXA (-4)
Under Ignacio Ambriz, Necaxa fans have gotten mainly what was advertised from the coach: stout defensive performances and many 1-0 results. However, that might not be enough to make the playoffs or influence the postseason should they make it. A 2-1 home loss against Santos proves Necaxa still can't make the cut against stronger teams.
14. VERACRUZ (+1)
Veracruz might have gone up in the Power Rankings this week, but that's only the product of more disappointing results elsewhere. No one really expected the Tiburones Rojos to beat Tigres, even if they were playing at home.
15. CHIVAS (+2)
On one hand, it was admirable for Matias Almeyda's squad to grab a point off their much more consistent rivals this weekend. On the other, the ref might have benefited them: a questionable foul lead to Juan Godinez's opening goal, and an iffy offside call negated Cecilio Dominguez's reply minutes later.
16. LOBOS BUAP (no change)
It's a race against time at this point for the Liga MX newbies. Lobos have seven games to turn it around and put some distance between themselves and Veracruz in the relegation race. However, it's clear whatever magic Rafa Puente conjured up in the Apertura has all but vanished.
17. CRUZ AZUL (-4)
There's no way Cruz Azul fires Pedro Caixinha before the season ends, and that's actually good news for them. The Portuguese manager is a proven commodity and can make the eight-time league champions regain their form next season. Patience, however, is a dirty word for Cruz Azul fans after 20 years without a league trophy.
18. ATLAS (no change)
Atlas: 67 years without a title and counting. Much like their Power Ranking spot, there will be no change in their drought at the end of the season.