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Liga MX: Week 17 Roundup

By Rafael Diaz

The quarterfinals are set. Here is a roundup on the most important things that happened in the last week of the regular season in Liga MX.

Stalemate in Mexico City

On Saturday, Pumas UNAM and Club America played part in another edition of the Clasico Capitalino. With no love lost between the two teams, the atmosphere at the Estadio Azteca was fantastic. While the end result was only relevant to Club America and their final position in the league table, both teams produced an entertaining game.

Going into this match, you'd expect league leaders Pumas to prevail on the attack and America to prefer a tactical battle, but instead it was Las Aguilas who looked solid and had the better of the goal-scoring opportunities.

Breaking quickly was the Pumas game plan from the start, but America found inspiration in Carlos Darwin Quintero. The Colombian has struggled to find consistency through his America career, but on Saturday he proved extremely useful for Las Aguilas.

The most notable part of Pumas' attacking play came midway through the second half. Daniel Luduena has been handy as a substitute, and in that respect, he was the difference for the Universitarios. After America took a 1-0 lead, Luduena's clever play led to the assist for the equalizing goal.

The final 1-1 scoreline was somewhat a fair result. Nevertheless, with both teams touted as favorites in the Liguilla, collecting silverware is now the only thing on their fan's minds.

Edging their way

Monarcas Morelia's 2015 Apertura season hinged on one last game at home against Veracruz. The key to making the playoffs was simple, Morelia needed a win. The final result, though, was all the opposite for Enrique Meza's side.

Concerned by the counter-attacking threat of Veracruz, who only needed a draw to qualify, Morelia failed to create many clear-cut chances.

The eventual winner for Veracruz came in the 80th minute when Julio Furch's goal-bound header settled into the back of the net. The defeat more or less summarized Morelia's unambitious season, while Veracruz confirmed a quarterfinal date with Pumas UNAM.

Also qualified to the Liguilla on the last week was Puebla. La Franja played out to a scoreless draw with Queretaro to reach their first playoffs in six years.

Usually you'd assume Puebla would be fighting in the bottom part of the table, but coach Pablo Marini has transformed a team full of outcasts into a solid outfit. Nevertheless, their opponent in the quarterfinals is no easy feat, as La Franja are set to take on second-place Toluca.

F for Failure

They say money can't buy happiness. Well, there's also very little evidence money can lead to a successful season in Liga MX.

Monterrey prepared for the Apertura by bringing in foreign names like Rogelio Funes Mori, Walter Gargano, and Jose Maria Basanta, but ultimately failed in reaching their goal.

Los Rayados looked like a team whose manager is not getting through to the players, and there seem to be wider and bigger issues at the club. Rumors suggesting a rift inside the squad have been prevalent of late, with speculation of Dorlan Pabon ready to make an exit from the club.

Likewise, the apparent failure of teams like Cruz Azul and Atlas rank fairly high up the list along with Antonio Mohamed's side. Both teams have not won a title in years, and in the end turned out to be quite distant from meeting their goals.

Player of the week: Mauro Boselli

The 30-year-old Argentine scored a double in Leon's 3-2 win over Dorados on Saturday. Boselli was the main marksman for Leon all season, and the two goals were enough to lift the former Wigan man to the top of the scorer's table along with Queretaro's Emanuel Villa. The win was much needed too, as it helped Leon clinch only their second victory in their last six league games.

Goal of the week: Luis Rodriguez

Luis "Chaka" Rodriguez skipped his way past several defenders before finishing behind Oscar "Conejo" Perez to score Chiapas' third in their victory over Pachuca.

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