Fútbol Americano
Nayib Moran | ESPN FC 9y

Toluca hangs tough on top of Liga MX Power Rankings, Chivas the new No. 2

Week 7 of the Liga MX 2017 Clausura brought a Clasico Nacional win for Chivas over Club America, a six-goal thriller between Pumas and Club Tijuana and more woe for Ricardo La Volpe and Paco Jemez.

Here's how things are shaking up in our Liga MX Power Rankings ahead of the Clasico Joven:

1. TOLUCA (no change): Two headers, two goals and another crucial win to keep Toluca at the top of our Power Rankings. Los Diablos Rojos' 2-1 victory over Morelia is their second away win of the Clausura.

2. CHIVAS (+1): Matias Almeyda's Chivas pulled through with an impressive 1-0 win vs. Club America in the Clasico Nacional. Talk of El Rebano Sagrado winning the title is no longer ridiculous.

3. CLUB TIJUANA (-1) It's impressive that Xolos are able to score without producing much in attack, but their inability to hold onto a three-goal lead in a 3-3 draw at Pumas will have Miguel "Piojo" Herrera worried.

4. MONTERREY (+2): With the fantastic four of Carlos Sanchez, Dorlan Pabon, Rogelio Funes Mori and Edwin Cardona in the XI, Monterrey got the job done with a 1-0 win against Pachuca. Rayados' undefeated streak continues.

5. PACHUCA (-1): Since its 4-2 win over Leon in Week 1, Pachuca has only managed to score three goals -- surprising numbers for a team that's known for its blazing attack.

6. PUMAS UNAM (-1): In Pumas' draw with Xolos, we saw their best and worst. What stood out was their reaction to going down 3-0, fighting back to earn a point. Their imprecision in the back, however, was cause for concern.

7. SANTOS LAGUNA (no change): Santos is finally playing to Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre's style. Los Guerreros are solid and organized at the back and quick and deft in attack. They proved it in a 2-2 draw at Leon.

8. TIGRES UANL (+1): In their first four away games of the Clausura, Tigres have averaged an attendance of 30,110. The numbers speak for themselves; the attraction of seeing them play now rivals that of any of Liga MX's top four. On Friday, after three failed tries, they were able to get their first away win in a 3-0 rout of Veracruz.

9. CLUB AMERICA (-1): America's football is pitiful at the moment, as it continues to be unable to solidify a place towards the top of the league table. Las Aguilas' 1-0 loss to Chivas could have been worse, but now they have to set their eyes on Clasico Joven success.

Two goals in the final five minutes helped Queretaro put the finishing touches on a dominant win at Necaxa.

10. NECAXA (no change): Necaxa suffered a demoralizing 4-1 loss to Queretaro at home on Saturday -- an unprecedented result following Los Rayos' big win at Tijuana last weekend.

11. LEON (no change): In their 2-2 draw against Santos, Los Esmeraldas showed conviction and desire to continue with Javier Torrente's project. Mauro Boselli, who was on the bench for the second game in a row, came over to hug Torrente after he scored his goal in the second half.

12. ATLAS (+2): Atlas achieved an important 1-0 win over Cruz Azul in Mexico City. The result gives Los Rojinegros, who hope to return to the Liguilla, a much-needed boost of optimism.

13. VERACRUZ (-1): It was only a matter of time before Veracruz suffered a heavy defeat. Los Tiburones were lucky the scoresheet only read 3-0 vs. Tigres in a match that was marred by violence in the stands.

The FC crew reacts to the violence at the Tigres v Veracruz match, and the issue it raises for security around the league.

14. QUERETARO (+3): Jaime Lozano's numbers as Queretaro head coach read two wins, one draw and zero defeats. During that run, the team has scored seven goals. What's worrying, though, is that none were scored by a striker.

15. CRUZ AZUL (-2): After their 1-0 loss to Atlas, Cruz Azul's players expressed their unconditional support of Paco Jemez and his coaching staff to the media. It was an atypical display, and what better way to back it up than by winning next Saturday's Clasico Joven.

16. CHIAPAS (-1): "Madness" could be the correct word to describe Chiapas' season. How could this team beat Tigres, Toluca and America, but fail to defeat relegation rivals Puebla, Morelia and Veracruz?

17. MORELIA (-1): Two of Morelia's next four matches will be against Veracruz and Puebla. If Monarcas are able to get wins, their chances of avoiding relegation will increase.

18. PUEBLA (no change): Puebla got its first Clausura win on Sunday, putting three goals past Chiapas' defense. With Jose Saturnino Cardozo in charge, Los Camoteros have yet to lose a game -- one win, two draws.

Nayib Moran covers Liga MX and the Mexican national team for ESPN FC. Twitter: @nayibmoran.

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