Liga MX Player of the Week: Ángel Mena

Club León’s Ángel Mena was named Liga Bancomer MX Player of the Week for Jornada 6 by a poll of Liga MX English-language writers and broadcasters.

Less than two months ago, Mena saw only about 15 minutes of action and left the Estadio Azteca pitch in heartbreak after he came on as a substitute for Cruz Azul in the Apertura 2018 final against Club America. The season ended without a title for Mena and with only 192 total season minutes played—a career low—for the Ecuadorian.

Cruz Azul unloaded Mena to Leon in the offseason, and his first trip back to the Azteca to face Las Aguilas couldn’t have gone better.

Mena had two goals and an assist in León’s 3-0 win on Saturday evening against Club América.

After just 12 minutes of play, Mena pounced on the rebound after a free-kick and whipped the ball into the range of Jose Juan Macias, who scored on a volley to give La Fiera a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, it was Mena’s turn to be assisted and provide a tap-in that beat Agustin Marchesin and gave Leon a 2-0 lead even after Miguel Herrera’s side came out of the locker room in attack mode.

Just when things seemed like they couldn’t get worse for the defending champs, Joel Campbell found Mena again on the wing, and the former Maquina player dummied Marchesin with ease before putting the final nail in the coffin.

“Mena’s second goal was a beauty, and the fact that his stellar performance came in a road win convinced me to put him above Necaxa’s (Brian) Fernández.” - Tom Buckley, Viva Liga MX

Mena had 77-percent pass accuracy, three key passes, three of four successful dribble attempts, and was even active on defense: with two clearances, one blocked shot and one interception for the 31-year-old, all good for a 9.2 match rating by SofaScore.

Mena’s four goals this season has him one goal behind leading Liga Bancomer MX goalscorers Rogelio Funes Mori and Brian Fernández.

Ignacio Ambriz’s squad is currently third place in the league with 11 points, and Mena has been directly involved in eight of Leon’s 13 goals this season.

For more information on Liga MX and to keep up with the Player of the Week poll, follow @FMFSoM on Twitter.