10 Mexican Club Sides

After almost five months, the Torneo Apertura 2011 is about to end. After witnessing the debacle of big teams, such as America and the rise of others, like Querétaro, the playoffs are about to start.

To claim the championship, a new format was put in place: the groups disappeared and the best eight advanced to the knock-out stage.

Let's take a look to the 10 best sides of the tournament, including those that qualified and the two squads that were close to making it.

10. San Luis

San Luis was the second best team while playing in its own turf. After nine games as locals, the Potosinos won six games, lost two and draw one.

The squad has changed a lot, from being a small and off the map team, to one that constantly fights to get into the playoffs.

San Luis doesn't have as many economic resources as others, therefore, its players are either veterans or low-profile footballers, which contrasts with the results the squad has been having since Apertura 2010.

9. UNAM

Pumas won the previous tournament, Clausura 2011, with a squad full of young promises and a couple of veteran players, such as Juan Francisco Palencia

This season UNAM couldn't live up to expectations and fell short in their try to repeat as champion. Fans and media criticized the team thoroughly after being incapable to defeat Tijuana, the latest promoted squad to Primera División.

As locals, Pumas played nine games, won five, lost two and draw two more. Their away statistics include 15 goals received against five scored.

8. Querétaro

Gallos Blancos will play the Liguilla of Primera Division for the first time since the club was founded, back in 1950.

Managed by José Saturnino Cardozo, one of the best international players Mexican football has had, Querétaro is willing to become the black horse, even though, they'll face Guadalajara, the tournament leader, in playoffs.

Overall, Gallos Blancos won eight matches, lost two and tied seven, for a total of 26 points, four behind Chivas.

7. Morelia

Monarcas Morelia has been one of the most regular teams of the decade, having won a Primera División title and three runner-up finishes. Also, it came second at two Concacaf Championships.

In 2010, the team won the SuperLiga. This season, La Monarquía was the second most successful away team, with four wins, three loses and two ties.

Morelia has been part of four of the last five Liguillas.

6. Pachuca

Los Tuzos were the most successful team while playing at home. They went to win six matches, tie two and only lose one.

Efraín Flores led his team to a 51 percent efficiency, a +3 goal difference and 26 points in the regular phase.

Now, Pachuca is seeking its sixth championship, after four years of drought with a team full of Mexican youngsters and some international veterans.

5. Jaguares

One of the newest teams in Primera División, Jaguares de Chiapas hasn't won a championship yet, but have had constant grow.

This season, Jaguares won seven games tied five and lost five, too, for a total of 26 points and a goal difference of +5.

When playing at home they only lost one match and are the seventh best defensive of Mexican football.
Jackson Martínez is their best scorer with eight goals, three shy from Toluca's Iván Alonso.

4. Santos

Santos Laguna has won three Primera División championships, one Copa Independencia and an Interliga.

Despite its short history, founded in August 1983, the club has emerged as one of the toughest to beat, both for the talent of its players as for the passion of their fans.

In the 90s, Grupo Modelo became the main shareholder and the squad began its rise.

At their new first-class stadium (Territorio Santos Modelo) the team has become a regular at la Liguilla.

This season they accomplished the feat after having the most lethal offensive of the tournament (29 goals in favor), lead by Oribe Peralta, a 27-year-old forward who became the best Mexican scorer of Apertura 2011.

3. UANL

Tigres de la UANL haven't won a Primera División championship since 1982, even though they played two other finals, in 2001 and 2003, against Pachuca, but lost both.

This season, Tigres had the best defensive, after receiving only 13 goals. The manager, Ricardo Ferretti had the second highest efficiency rate with 55 percent: seven games won, seven tied and three lost.

The last title Tigres grabbed was the 2009 SuperLiga, where the squad defeated MLS Chicago Fire in penalty shoot-out.

2. Cruz Azul

One of Mexico's biggest teams has a score to settle with its fans. Cruz Azul hasn't won a Primera División championship since 1997.

Moreover, in 30 years, La Máquina has lost 13 final matches, both in local and international competitions.

This time, coach Enrique Meza finished the season in-stye with a 57 percent efficiency rate, the highest of the Apertura 2011, leading Cruz Azul to yet another Liguilla.

The team qualified in second place, with 29 points, after winning eight games, losing four and tying five.

1. Guadalajara

Chivas de Guadalajara went through a manager change and still finished at the top spot of the table.

With a team full of youngsters, including Marco Fabián recently chosen as the best player of Apertura 2011 in a survey conducted by Mexican newspaper Reforma, Chivas arrives to the knock-out stage as the favorite.

After 17 games, the squad won eight, tied six and lost three, for a total of 30 points, becoming the best team when playing away: four victories, four draws and one lose.

Guadalajara also had the second best defensive of the tournament allowing 14 goals, one more than Tigres de la UANL. 

If Chivas wins Apertura 2011 final showdown, it will have conquered its 12th Primera División title.