MEXICO CITY, Mexico -- Nearly two-thirds of the way through the Liga MX season, there's finally a bit of clarity as to who the contenders are for this season's championship. The top five teams in the league table picked up a win last weekend, important when you consider that the next-ranked winner was Cruz Azul, who are 14th after Matchday 11.
On the other hand, teams like Monterrey and Pumas are fading fast after hot starts. In their last five games, the Rayados have won just once while UNAM has one point in the same span: after a six-match unbeaten streak to start the 2018 Clausura, David Patino's team has not won since beating Morelia on Feb. 10.
Last week, there was just a six-point separation between the first-place team and the 11th-place team. This week, the same difference exists between the league leader and the sixth-place team. Here are the Power Rankings for Week 11:
1. SANTOS LAGUNA (+2)
The team from Torreon needed to win last weekend to assert its status as a contending team in the Clausura. To boot, they were thrust into the match without Liga MX's leading goalscorer, Djaniny, who was sidelined by a pre-match injury. Twelve of Santos' 18 goals this season going into their match against Monterrey were scored by the Cape Verde international, highlighting his importance.
Against a tough rival in desperate need of a win, Santos' reworked offense responded admirably as Jonathan Rodriguez and Julio Furch combined for three goals in their victory over Monterrey. After their mid-week Copa MX tilt against Queretaro, Santos goes on the road for two big games, against playoff-placed Puebla and relegation-threatened Atlas.
2. TIGRES UANL (no change)
After dropping a tough decision in Toronto during the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, Tigres bounced back against a fellow loser in the continental tournament, Tijuana. Unsurprisingly, star man Andre-Pierre Gignac scored again for the Monterrey side, ensuring they have momentum going into their second leg match against Toronto this week. Better yet, Tigres were able to rest some key starters in the win.
3. CLUB AMERICA (-2)
Sometimes, all you need is a bit of inspiration from one of your best players to snap out of a funk. Colombia midfielder Matheus Uribe was brilliant at the Estadio Azteca on Saturday, scoring a brace against Leon and ensuring the Mexico City giants maintain their unbeaten status. Next up, America will face Toluca in one of Matchday 12's most interesting clashes.
4. TOLUCA (no change)
In their first of two consecutive visits to Mexico City, Los Diablos Rojos successfully completed the first challenge, beating Pumas at the Estadio Olimpico off the back of a late goal caused by sub Alexis Canelo. A bigger challenge beckons as they'll next try to strip Club America of their status as the league's only unbeaten team this season.
5. MORELIA (+3)
Wins against strugglers Lobos, Atlas and Veracruz in three of their last four games isn't a big deal in and of itself but Monarcas did their job, imposing themselves upon inferior sides. The wild world of Liga MX doesn't usually allow for such bland storylines to be the norm but Morelia should be favored to pick up another three points this weekend when they host a downtrodden Chivas side this weekend at the Estadio Morelos.
6. PUEBLA (-1)
As embarrassing as last Saturday's loss to last-place Atlas was, Puebla can't get too low on themselves just yet as their next game is against league-leading Santos Laguna. If Enrique Meza's side wants the rest of the league to take them seriously, they will need to put up a much bigger fight against the first-place team than they did against the side in 18th.
7. CLUB TIJUANA (-1)
It was a hard sell for anyone to think last weekend's Tigres vs. Tijuana game would be a barn-burner. Given both teams needed to rebound after their midweek CONCACAF Champions League clashes, a low-scoring game with many of the usual starters resting up for the return legs was in the cards from the get-go. Despite coming out with the loss, Xolos can now devote its full attention to pulling off an upset in the United States against the New York Red Bulls this week.
8. MONTERREY (-1)
Doomsayers are already foretelling the fall of Monterrey coach Antonio Mohamed after three losses in five games. That is an overreaction consistent with the way coaches are usually judged in Mexico, but the truth is Rayados needs to turn its season around quickly if they wish to avenge last semester's disappointing title run. A home clash against Queretaro could be a perfect way to stop the bleeding.
9. PUMAS UNAM (no change)
Four losses in five games have represented a massive slide for Pumas and their chances of actually contending this season. So why are they still ninth in these Power Rankings? Simply put, the teams below them have been equally nondescript. To successfully make a case for any of them, a string of good results is needed, and quickly.
10. QUERETARO (+1)
Quite possibly the league's most bland team. Saddled with Liga MX's second-worst offense, Luis Fernando Tena's team has relied on its defense to crunch out results. After 11 games, the verdict for their remaining chances is simple: start scoring or kiss the playoffs adios.
11. LEON (-1)
After a resounding win against Pumas UNAM a week ago, Leon followed up with a game that reminded us why it has the worst defense in the league. Club America could have easily put four or five goals up on Leon, who made several big mistakes at the back. Next week's game against Lobos BUAP, who have given up an equal amount of goals, will likely a concerto of bad marking.
12. NECAXA (+1)
Yes, Necaxa has lost just three times this season but they've yet to take advantage of their positive goal difference (14 goals scored, nine allowed) and obtain better results. Only one team, Club America, has more draws than Ignacio Ambriz's side and last weekend's game against Queretaro was another missed opportunity.
13. PACHUCA (-1)
Trounced by Cruz Azul last weekend, Pachuca is reaching its nadir this season after a solid three-game run (wins over Tijuana and Leon included) had them on the cusp of making a run towards this season's playoffs. However, they should be able to bounce back next weekend against Necaxa, even as visitors to the Estadio Victoria.
14. CRUZ AZUL (+3)
Could this be the watershed moment Cruz Azul fans were finally waiting for under Pedro Caixinha? Happiness returned to the Estadio Azul this weekend after the Portuguese manager's brand of stylish soccer took over and completely overwhelmed Pachuca. Their next test will be to find consistency, facing a Pumas team in the midst of its worst run this season.
15. CHIVAS (no change)
A win against Lobos BUAP can do wonders for Chivas if they're able to use that momentum to turn the tide against the Seattle Sounders in the CONCACAF Champions League. If, however, it can't overcome their deficit at the Estadio Akron and bows out of the continental circuit, it'll be another drop in the bucket within a miserable season.
16. ATLAS (+2)
The season is never over for anyone after 11 games in Liga MX but even a win over a potential playoff team is not enough to think Atlas can resuscitate its season after a dreadful start. Even with the victory over Puebla, it's hard to see them coming back.
17. VERACRUZ (-3)
The stalemate remains in Liga MX's (thus far) unexciting race towards relegation. A third straight loss for Veracruz means they don't take advantage of Lobos BUAP's loss, which means it remains favorites to exit Mexico's top flight at the end of the season.
18. LOBOS BUAP (-2)
Despite having one of the league's most electric offensive units and facing a bad team with its mind set on a different tournament, Lobos BUAP was unable to grab even a draw from Chivas at home this weekend.