Liga MX: América undefeated, Rayados top, the battle for second heats up

As we hit the 10th matchday of the Liga MX season, let’s look back on the headlines from the ninth round.

CF Monterrey remain in the lead with 22 points, while at the other end of the table, Mazatlán are in crisis. They’ve managed to scrape together just one point from their first eight matches.

Monterrey came into matchday nine unbeaten in eight games, including a winning run of seven. They faced a Leon team who were three games without defeat – two wins and a draw. Leon took the lead in this game when Lucas Di Yorio brought down a long ball from defense, stepped into the penalty area, and smashed his finish into the roof of the net.

Five minutes from the end, Vergara was fouled in the box, gifting the chance of a late equalizer for Monterrey. Uriel Frías was sent off for the infraction, and Vergara scored from the penalty spot.

The battle for second

Toluca and Chivas are the surprises of the tournament so far, and both sit just four points adrift from Monterrey. Tigres missed out on the opportunity to go within a point of the leaders last week, so also remain on 18 points.

Toluca extended their win streak to four games after Jean Meneses and Carlos González scored first half goals to secure a win over San Luis. Last seasons’ runners-up are looking to end a title drought that now extends to 12 years. They’re the third-most successful team in the country, with 10 titles.

Tigres lost their first game of the season against Chivas last weekend. They went into the game trying to preserve a six-game unbeaten streak, but just two minutes in they conceded the opening goal. Half an hour later, Cisneros scored his first goal of the season. Ibañez added a consolation for Tigres towards the end.

América remain undefeated

Club América remain the only unbeaten team in the Liga MX. They’re also the league’s leading scorers with 21 goals, sitting on 17 points.

They gave up a two goal lead and the opportunity to go second against Atlas de Guadalajara in matchday nine. Goals from Rodriguez and Martin put América ahead, only for a Lozano double to break América hearts. They’re sat in fifth spot, while Atlas are down in 15th, with just one win to their name so far.

Of América’s 21 goals, 10 of those have been scored by forward Henry Martin. Last season, he finished as runner-up in the golden boot race, but he has his eyes firmly on the prize this year.

Here are the fixtures for this weekend’s 10th matchday:

• Mazatlan FC vs. Cruz Azul
• Necaxa vs. Tigres
• Tijuana vs. Atlas
• Leon vs. San Luis
• Club America vs. Pachuca
• Monterrey vs. Juarez
• Guadalajara vs. Santos Laguna
• Pumas UNAM vs. Puebla
• Queretaro vs. Toluca