5 Liga MX Clubs that Will Make a Late Run for the Liguilla

Half of the spots available for the 2014 Apertura Liguilla are still available. With just two matchdays pending, there are some teams that still have a shot at making the playoffs.

America, Toluca, UANL and Atlas have already secured their place in the postseason. However, these four need to have good performances to keep their place in the general table (or improve it).

Those that are still alive are: Monterrey, Jaguares, Pachuca, Leon, Cruz Azul, Santos, Queretaro, UNAM and Tijuana.

Which of these clubs will make a late run? Let's find out.

Leon

Christian Palma/Associated Press

Leon are working hard toward making the Liguilla. The current champions struggled from Matchday 1 to 11, as they recorded three wins and eight defeats.

However, La Fiera have managed to post four successive wins ever since. In that period they managed to put the ball away 11 times and created 39 goal opportunities.

Also, Mauro Boselli became the top scorer of the 2014 Apertura with 11 goals to his name.

Overall, Leon have had 148 goal situations and an average pass accuracy of 84 percent. They have scored 27 times so far, mainly from inside the penalty box.

So far, they sit eighth in the general table, which puts them inside the qualification zone. If coach Gustavo Matosas wants to have a shot at defending his title, he must keep the momentum going and push his players to be flawless.

He did it last season when Los Panzas Verdes qualified in eighth place and ultimately secured their second successive title.

Cruz Azul

Christian Palma/Associated Press

Cruz Azul are going through their shakiest season since the 2012 Clausura tournament, when they missed the Liguilla for the last time.

Luis Fernando Tena has struggled to give La Maquina continuity. In the 2014 Clausura, Tena managed to qualify the team for the playoff as the leader.

But times change and Cruz Azul have lost key opportunities to stay inside the top eight.

For starters, they haven't won a single game outside home turf (they have tied four games and lost three). On the other hand, they have secured 15 points of a possible 24 while playing at Estadio Azul.

La Maquina have created a fair share of goal opportunities. In 15 matchdays, they have had 158 chances, but have only managed to put the ball away 15 times. Their shot accuracy is at 41 percent.

If Tena's boys manage to be less dependent on Mariano Pavone (four goals), Joao Rojas (three goals) and Christian Gimenez (two goals), they could have a good chance at converting more opportunities and qualifying to the playoffs.

Santos Laguna

Matilde Campodonico/Associated Press

It's been almost two months since Santos Laguna won their last game in the 2014 Apertura.

Pedro Caixinha's team has fallen outside the top eight teams. In Week 8, Los Guerreros managed to climb into third place, but seven weeks later they sit 10th.

The worst problem for the team has been the back line. So far, Santos Laguna have conceded 20 goals (including seven from outside the penalty box).

Los Guerreros have only failed to score in two games—against Monterrey and Chiapas. They currently have the best Mexican striker in their ranks: Javier Orozco.

Chuletita has put the ball away six times, he has created six goal opportunities (including two assists), and has an average pass accuracy of 74 percent.

Queretaro

Christian Palma/Associated Press

Queretaro have been lurking around the qualification zone since they left it in Week 12.

That week, Gallos Blancos lost on home soil to Leon, which was their fifth defeat of the tournament. After that, they have only won once (against America in Matchday 14).

The club was hoping to overturn the bad streak by signing Ronaldinho, but the Brazilian has only scored three goals in seven appearances.

Camilo Sanvezzo is the footballer who has made an impact on the pitch. He has scored 10 times, which accounts for half of the team's goals so far.

If Dinho manages to win more duels (he has an average success rate of 38 percent) and increase his shot accuracy (currently 53 percent), then Queretaro could have a chance at playing the Liguilla after missing it last season.

UNAM

Christian Palma/Associated Press

UNAM's struggle to win on home soil has put them close to elimination.

Currently sitting 12th in the general table, they have to win the last two games—against Monterrey and Cruz Azul—to make a move.

If they secure those six points, they still have to wait for the results of other teams, such as Queretaro, Leon, Santos Laguna and Pachuca.

UNAM seems like the club with the longest shot of all, but anything could happen (especially if the footballers work on their shot accuracy, which is at 38 percent after 15 weeks). 

Ismael Sosa and Eduardo Herrera have been instrumental for Pumas. They have scored five goals each, in addition to creating 26 goal opportunities. Sosa has recorded 13 key passes and one assist, while Herrera has 11 key passes and one assist to his name.

All stats appear courtesy of Squawka, unless otherwise noted.

Follow @ karlitsv