Liga MX: Torneo Apertura Team of the Season
The regular season of the Torneo Apertura has come to an end after 17 intense weeks, which included outstanding performances.
The footballers poured their hearts on the pitch in order to help their clubs secure one of the eight spots available for the Liguilla.
Despite the efforts, many couldn't accomplish the feat, but they still turned to be standard bearers for their sides. Others will continue their stellar pace in the playoffs.
From the goalkeeper to the forwards, let's find out which players made the team of the season.
Goalkeeper: Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)
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Alfredo Talavera proved to be at the peak of his career as he allowed 17 goals in 16 appearances. From those goals, 52 percent were the result of open plays.
The Toluca goalkeeper had six clean sheets and an average of 2.56 saves per game. He stopped a penalty kick and had an average claim success of 97 percent.
His quick reflexes and saves earned him four call-ups for El Tri friendly games (Honduras, Panama, Netherlands and Belarus).
Talavera will appear in the Liguilla, when his club faces Chiapas in the quarterfinals.
"Gran atajada de @1AlfredoTala https://t.co/h5s1B15PfZ (vía @adnazteca)
— La Doce (@ladocecommx) November 23, 2014"
Right-Back: Paul Aguilar (America)
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Paul Aguilar appeared in 16 of 17 Apertura matches, and he showed that he is a key piece in Antonio Mohamed's lineup.
The America defender keeps helping his club with goal opportunities through the right flank and the center of the pitch.
Aguilar created 53 percent of the chances from the right, 38.5 of them in the last third of the pitch.
His speed and accuracy set him as an undisputed starter for Las Aguilas. He is a valuable asset when he joins the attack, and this season he scored once with the head.
"#VideoÁguila ¿Qué te pareció el festejo de Paul Aguilar tras anotar el segundo gol de nuestro equipo? http://t.co/0nrhmB6vPQ
— Club América (@CF_America) October 2, 2014"
Centre-Back: Hugo Ayala (UANL)
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Hugo Ayala had a consistent season with UANL.
After 16 appearances, the defender completed 82 percent of the passes he sent, 80.7 percent of them to the front.
Ayala had 71 clearances, 42 interceptions and eight blocks in the 1,301 minutes he played. His endurance and fierceness were instrumental in helping Tigres reach the quarterfinals.
His accuracy and ball control put him on Mexico coach Miguel Herrera's radar. He eventually returned to El Tri in the friendly against Chile, held in September.
Centre-Back: Julio Dominguez (Cruz Azul)
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Although Cruz Azul didn't make the Liguilla, Julio Dominguez was instrumental in Luis Fernando Tena's formation.
The 27-year-old won 58 percent of the duels in which he was involved, including 33 tackles, five take-ons and 28 aerial duels.
Dominguez's average pass accuracy equaled 86 percent, as the result of 463 general passes, 21 headers and 43 long balls.
He also scored once, in Cruz Azul's 2-1 loss to Atlas.
"Así fue la salvad del Cata Domínguez. #CruzAzul #celestes #chivas #guadalajara https://t.co/urTo0cWH0A
— SillónTécnico sports (@Sillontecnicomx) August 31, 2014"
Left-Back: Miguel Layun (America)
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Miguel Layun scored six times in 11 appearances with America, becoming the defender with most goals in the season.
He was also Las Aguilas' second-best scorer, just two goals behind Oribe Peralta.
Layun's flexibility allowed coach Antonio Mohamed to use him as a left-back or midfielder—either from the right or the left.
He created 12 goal opportunities, including one assist. Layun also had nine shots on target, without compromising his defensive duties.
"Los 4 goles de Miguel Layún: 1. https://t.co/Dp7fZDk9xn 2. https://t.co/PvbWiX9cFI 3 https://t.co/S8fZENOyz5 4. https://t.co/RUEUTq7yIr #fb
— Soccer Punch (@SoccerPunch) September 27, 2014"
Right Midfielder: Carlos Pena (Leon)
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Leon were close to qualifying to the Liguilla, but they lost 3-2 to Tijuana in Matchday 17, making it impossible to contend for a third successive Liga MX title.
Despite all, Carlos Pena excelled again with the Panzas Verdes.
The midfielder completed 82 percent of the passes he sent, created 27 goal opportunities—including three assists—and put the ball away five times.
Pena showed his worth when cutting to the center of the pitch. From where he distributed the ball to his teammates or finished plays.
Central Midfielder: Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon)
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Jose Juan Vazquez continued to be the most successful central midfielder of the Liga MX, although he missed three games.
El Gallito helped Leon turn things around when they had a 3-0-8 record and the possibility of making the Liguilla was slim.
Vazquez provided structure to the team by feeding balls to the forwards and helping the defense when in distress.
The midfielder's average pass accuracy equaled 90 percent, he created nine goal opportunities, made nine interceptions, 10 clearances and five blocks.
Left Midfielder: Alfonso Gonzalez (Atlas)
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Mexico's youngsters proved their worth this season, but Alfonso Gonzalez was for sure the most refreshing revelation.
At age 20, he was Atlas' top scorer in the regular season, with a total tally of four goals, three of them with the left foot and one with the head.
Ponchito was lethal when he joined the attack, he created 28 goal opportunities and completed 85 percent of the passes he sent.
His speed and dribbling skills were instrumental to unbalance the rivals' defense. His performance with the Zorros earned him his first Mexico call-up.
"Ponchito González a lo 'Panenka' https://t.co/u9pcR9geCh
— Chutazos (@Chutazos) October 23, 2014"
Forward: Mauro Boselli (Leon)
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Mauro Boselli put the ball away 12 times in 16 appearances, becoming the tournament's joint top scorer (along Camilo Sanvezzo).
The Leon forward made 53 shots, 24 of them on target, 23 off target and six blocked, for a total accuracy of 51 percent.
He also created five goal opportunities and completed 73 percent of the passes he sent.
Boselli's knack for goalscoring combined with his ability to put the ball away with almost any part of his body set him as a key element in Gustavo Matosas' system.
The Argentinean scored five times with the head, five more with the left foot and two with the right foot.
Boselli netted at least once from Matchday 11 to 15.
""Me dicen "El Matador", nací en Barracas". @mauroboselli https://t.co/t360puGEjm
— Club León (@clubleonfc) November 25, 2014"
Forward: Camilo Sanvezzo (Queretaro)
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Camilo Sanvezzo also scored 12 times, but he did it in 17 games, and became the first footballer to secure the top-scorer award in the MLS and the Liga MX.
Despite accuracy and ability to leave the defenders behind Queretaro failed to qualify for the Liguilla.
Sanvezzo arrived in Gallos Blancos in January after two successful years with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps, but he only played eight games of the 2014 Clausura.
This season he made quite an impact with the team. He was the club's top scorer and created 19 goal opportunities, 89.5 percent of them through the center of the pitch.
"#VideoGol QRO 2 | 0 AME Qué nadie se pierda el golazo de @CamiloSanvezzo. Fusiló a @MoyMu23 para lograr el primero https://t.co/GhaZ1wZVIV
— LIGA Bancomer MX (@LIGABancomerMX) October 25, 2014"
Forward: Dorlan Pabon (Monterrey)
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Dorlan Pabon started the season with seven goals in six matches, securing the lead of the top-scorers table easily.
However, his goalscoring ability wasn't his only asset. Pabon also registered four assists and 15 key passes, for a total of 19 goal opportunities.
Although Pabon couldn't score from Matchday 12 to 15, his longest drought of the tournament, he went back to his old ways in Week 16, just in time for the Liguilla.
He will be instrumental in the quarterfinals, where Rayados are set to face Atlas.
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