After 17 exciting match days, the Liga Bancomer MX playoffs are all set to begin. This season we saw many flops and failures by some teams, and we also saw dominance and quality football from others. Normally, the top 3 or 4 spots on the table are usually set by week 15 but that was not the case this season. Many teams were contenders for the 8 playoff positions. In week 17 alone, there were 6 teams that sought to win and await results from other matches, hoping to squeeze into the last two spots. And now that regular league play is over, let’s take a look at the teams that make up this season’s Liga Bancomer MX playoffs in their respective positions on the table.
1.) Club America
America was expected to have a successful season. For “Las Aguilas” it was not a matter of if they would make playoffs, it was a matter of what position they would end in. America’s road to Liguilla success was in part due to a fantastic start to the season. They did not struggle until the last few weeks of league play and seem to need to regain their form after not having won a league match since October 24th against Queretaro. After 17 weeks, they remain at the top of the table with 31 points, a goal differential of +10, and a record of 9 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses.
2.) U.A.N.L. (Tigres)
Tigres has had their share of struggles this season, from an unusually high number of draws, to legal action against one of their very own prospective forwards. Besides all of this, the club managed to end their league campaign in second place. Their succes this season came after adopting a Chelsea-esque style of football. The Nuevo Leon club’s park the bus tactics allowed them to end the season just behind America by goal difference with 31 points, a +8 goal differential, and a record of 8 wins, 7 draws, and only 2 losses.
3.) Atlas
Atlas was Guadalajara’s team to beat this season. They had a uniquely interesting season. Although they displayed dominance all season, they failed to be efficient during the early stages of their matches. Most of their matches, in fact, were battled out in the last 20 minutes or so. It became so regular that some of the league’s commentators dubbed any match that was intense in its final stages as an Atlas style match. For Atlas, it was a better late than never philosophy as they beat 1st place America in the final match day to move into 3rd place and finish the season with 31 points, a +2 goal differential, 9 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses.
4.) Toluca
Los Chorizeros looked (and continue to look) like title contenders from the very beginning. They only just missed a chance to end the season as leaders but a loss to Tigres in the final match day saw them slip into 4th place. Toluca is managed by one of the club’s biggest legends, Jose Saturnino Cardozo. This man had a keen eye for goals and a wonderful spell at Toluca. If there is anybody who knows how to pick apart a defense it’s him. His insight brought out an aggressive and fast paced style. This along with one of the best domestic goal keepers in the league allowed the team to finish with 29 points and a record of 8 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses.
5.) Chiapas (Jaguares)
Jaguares also had a high number of draws but managed to steal points every chance they got. They were over looked at the beginning of the season and they may very well be the dark horse of the tournament because of it. Jaguares were certainly not a top pick to make it to play offs, but after 7 wins, 7 draws, and 3 losses, the Chiapas side made it to 27 points and the fifth place spot.
6.) Monterrey
Monterrey has a wide arsenal of quality players from defense to offense. They can turn plays around and be clinical on the counter attacks and that is what makes them dangerous. The “Rayados” were involved in one of the biggest slip ups of the final match day of the league. They had a chance to reach 4th place and secure a better spot on the table but because they lost to U.N.A.M. they finished in 6th with 27 points, 8 wins, 3 draws, and 6 losses.
7.) Pachuca
Pachuca was another team that was expected to have a mid table, mediocre finish. “Los Tusos” surprised a few times this season in their victories over Santos, Chiapas, and even America. They were able to make the most of their final match day and earn three crucial points against Veracruz that allowed them to make playoffs with 25 points, 7 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses.
8.) U.N.A.M. (Pumas)
Pumas managed to obtain 24 points after 6 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses. Pumas participated in the final match on the final match day of league play. They knew who had qualified and who had fail to qualify and with that information, Pumas came out and played an intense, fast paced hit for hit game against Monterrey. They knew that a victory would ensure a post season campaign and with that in mind they defeated Monterrey 4 to 2. It was not the most successful campaign Pumas has ever seen but it was enough to bump Santos out of 8th place and qualify for playoffs.
After the 17 match days, only 8 teams get to move on to playoffs. Some of these teams are more successful than others but all of the teams are hungry for a championship and each team now has a chance to compete for the title. The first legs of playoffs begin on Wednesday and the matches will take place as follows:
Pachuca vs. Tigres
Wednesday November 26, 7:00 PM PST
Pumas vs. America
Wednesday November 26, 9:00 PM PST
Monterrey vs. Atlas
Thursday November 27, 6:00 PM PST
Chiapas vs. Toloca
Thursday November 27, 8:00 PM PST
Photo Credit: http://www.futboltotal.com.mx