Ranking the Top 5 Defenders from Liga MX Torneo Apertura
The 2014 Apertura tournament has come to an end, and it's time to rank the best defenders of the season.
Regardless of if their clubs made it to the Liguilla or not, these footballers made the list because they were stalwarts for the back line.
They are forceful and talented, which allowed them to cover rivals tightly and to keep the danger far from their goal; they also showed the leadership required to organize the squad and keep their teammates together.
Join us to find out which defenders made a good impression in the latest Liga MX tournament.
5. Miguel Layun (America)
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Miguel Layun has been an undisputed starter for America since the 2013 Clausura, and he has proven his worth ever since.
In the 2014 Apertura, he appeared 17 times, including both legs of the final showdown.
Layun was instrumental in Las Aguila's attacking zone. He scored six times, more than in any other of the 11 seasons he has played in Mexico.
In this tournament, he created 20 goal opportunities, 35 percent through the left and 50 percent from the center of the pitch.
Defensively, Layun was sharp. He is the kind of player who can take care of any of the flanks, although he is usually in charge of the left side. He made 20 clearances, six interceptions and two blocks.
Layun's speed allows him to come back to his defensive duties quickly, which makes him a very flexible player.
4. Hugo Ayala (UANL)
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Hugo Ayala was instrumental in helping UANL reach the 2014 Apertura final. Overall, the 27-year-old appeared in 22 games.
Ayala completed 82 percent of the passes he sent, plus, he won 59 percent of the duels in which he was involved.
As a center back, he barely appeared in the last third of the pitch, but he still managed to score once, proving his attacking skills inside the box are perfectly tuned.
His performance throughout the season earned him his return to the national team, proving to be a serious contender for one of the spots available in coach Miguel Herrera's 2015 squads (Copa America and Gold Cup).
Ayala is at the prime of his career, and it doesn't seem like he will lose his touch any time soon.
3. Julio Cesar Dominguez (Cruz Azul)
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Julio Cesar Dominguez has played for Cruz Azul since he debuted with the club in the 2006 Clausura tournament.
His abilities and commitment earned him a spot in La Maquina's starting XI in the 2007 Apertura and has become one of the most successful center backs of the Liga MX.
Dominguez has matured little by little, and the final result started to show last season; however, it was in the 2014 Apertura when he really made an impact on the pitch.
He put the ball away once, created 10 goal opportunities, 90 percent of them through the center of the pitch, and he completed 86 percent of the passes he sent.
Dominguez was instrumental in helping La Maquina become the second-best defense of the tournament, after conceding 15 goals in 17 matchdays.
He also reappeared with the Mexico national team after a seven-year hiatus.
2. Paulo da Silva (Toluca)
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Toluca seemed to be one of the strongest clubs in the Liguilla; however, the Diablos Rojos were eliminated in the semifinals by UANL.
Despite it all, Paulo da Silva managed to keep the defense afloat in the last six games, in which Toluca could have suffered even more.
Da Silva appeared in all 21 games the Diablos Rojos played. In that period, he scored five times, all of them with his head, showing his aerial game is stronger than ever.
His technique allowed him to complete 86 percent of the passes he sent, while he created six goal opportunities, all of them through the center of the pitch.
His body build allowed him to win 70 percent of the duels in which he was involved, including 42 tackles out of a total tally of 54.
1. Juninho (UANL)
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Juninho may have missed the semifinals and final matches, but that didn't hurt his stellar performance in 19 appearances.
The center back put the ball away five times, becoming Tigres' best scorer of the regular season. His fine touch with the right foot and dribbling skills set him as a lethal footballer when he joins the attacking zone.
His long stride and speed allow him to run up and down regularly, while his fierceness turn him into one of the most committed and toughest defenders of the Liga MX.
This season, he completed 85 percent of the passes he sent, 80.9 percent of them to the front. He made 78 clearances, 30 interceptions and 10 blocks.
Juninho won't appear in the 2015 competition, as he suffered an Achilles tendon rupture.
