Liga MX Table 2014: Updated Apertura Results and Standings Following Week 9
If few leagues around the world could you hit the midway point and be almost right back where you started the season. When it comes to the 2014 Liga MX Apertura, the fight for the eight Liguilla places is far from over.
After Friday's results, only six points separate first-place America from eighth-place Tijuana. As bad as Universidad de Guadalajara have been at times so far, they're still only five points out of a Liguilla spot.
A club's fortunes can change radically in the space of a couple of weeks. Teams can't afford to fall asleep for even a week or they risk losing precious positioning.
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Here's a look at the table and results from Week 9.
| 1 | America | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 20 |
| 2 | Atlas | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 18 |
| 3 | Toluca | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 17 |
| 4 | Monterrey | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 16 |
| 5 | Santos | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 15 |
| 6 | Queretaro | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| 7 | Tigres | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 13 |
| 8 | Pachuca | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 13 |
| 9 | Chiapas | 9 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 |
| 10 | Tijuana | 9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
| 11 | Pumas | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 11 |
| 12 | Puebla | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | -4 | 10 |
| 13 | Leon | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -1 | 9 |
| 14 | Guadalajara | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -3 | 9 |
| 15 | Cruz Azul | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -3 | 9 |
| 16 | Veracruz | 9 | 1 | 5 | 3 | -3 | 8 |
| 17 | UDG | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -7 | 6 |
| 18 | Morelia | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | -13 | 3 |
| Sept. 19 | Morelia | 2-3 | Pumas |
| Sept. 19 | Tijuana | 4-1 | Santos |
| Sept. 20 | America | 2-1 | Pachuca |
| Sept. 20 | Puebla | 1-1 | Chiapas |
| Sept. 20 | Tigres | 1-0 | UDG |
| Sept. 20 | Leon | 3-1 | Veracruz |
| Sept. 20 | Atlas | 2-1 | Cruz Azul |
| Sept. 21 | Toluca | 1-0 | Monterrey |
| Sept. 21 | Guadalajara | 1-4 | Queretaro |
Recap
Friday
If you want to know why Morelia are anchored at the bottom of the Apertura table, then look no further than Friday night's loss 3-2 loss to Pumas.
The fact that the home side lost isn't all that much of a surprise. Morelia's still winless in this year's Apertura campaign. The way in which Morelia lost is the real story.
They conceded only three shots on target yet gave up three goals, according to FoxSoccer.com. Jose Antonio Olvera netted an own goal in the 23rd minute, and it was downhill from there. When you're the worst team in the league, you can't put yourself behind the eight ball by beating your own goalkeeper.
Eduardo Herrera doubled Pumas' lead in the 47th minute, and Ismael Sosa added an insurance goal in the 56th minute.
Goals from Erick Aguirre and Carlos Guzman made it close for Morelia, but they couldn't find enough to salvage at least a draw.
The win continues what has been a nice run for Pumas over the last few weeks. Earlier in the Apertura season, they looked to be in serious trouble. However, under Guillermo Vazquez, the club has become a Liguilla threat again, as PumasEnglish.com noted:
Pumas were in eighth place until Tijuana pulled off what will likely be one of the bigger upsets of the weekend: a 4-1 win over Santos. The three points put Xolos ahead of Pumas on goal differential.
It was quite the home debut for manager Daniel Guzman. Before the match, he spoke about what he expected out of his team, per the club's official site:
"I am looking forward to making my debut in Tijuana. We want to be aggressive, be risky with four midfielders who can recover balls and go forward with them. I look for the team to surprise, be vertical, fast, and precise with the ball. I respect Santos very much because it is a serious team, a formal team with good players and has a philosophy that I know well.
"
If this game is a sign of things to come, Xolos supporters are in for an entertaining run-in to the rest of the season.
Alfredo Moreno gave the hosts an early 1-0 lead with a goal in the third minute. His score was cancelled out by Juan Pablo Rodriguez in the 36th minute.
Moreno put Xolos back into the lead in the 47th minute, and from there, they didn't look back. Dario Benedetto scored six minutes after Moreno, and Dayro Moreno put the cherry on top with a goal in the 90th minute.
Although you can credit Guzman for some of Tijuana's performance, Mexican football journalist Tom Marshall also highlighted the fact that having Javier Gandolfi and Hernan Pellerano in the fold brings so much solidarity to the back line:
Tijuana have a tough fight ahead as they attempt to remain in the top eight, but going off Friday's result, the club looks only to be on the rise.
Weekend
America and Atlas are standing tall at the top of the table after each securing victories on Saturday.
Ariel Nahuelpan appeared to snag a point for Pachuca with his 78th-minute equalizer. They couldn't celebrate very long, however, as Miguel Layun regained America's lead a minute later with a winner.
Officials issues six yellow cards in a chippy affair that results in America hanging onto first place with 20 points. Despite their prominent standing, things haven't come easy for them. Heading into Saturday, America had not notched a goal in their last three Liga MX fixtures.
Several teams are right on their tail, including Atlas, who picked up a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul.
Rodrigo Millar saved the day with a match-deciding goal during the 80th minute. Those two extra points give Atlas sole possession of second place over Monterrey, who suffered their first loss of the campaign over the weekend.
Against Toluca, Monterrey could not find the net on Sunday. They mustered just two shots on goal to their opponent's eight, and Lucas Lobos eventually capitalized with the game's only goal during the second half.
Through eight games, Monterrey have amounted for just 10 goals. Their attack will eventually need a revival for them to remain high up the league's leaderboard.
The week's biggest riser, Leon scored a trio of goals in their 3-1 victory over Veracruz. Following their latest victory, Leon is now tied for America with 15 goals despite hoisting a mere nine points. If the defense can holds its own, one of the league's most explosive offenses will lead the club to a rousing rise up the table.
