Tom Marshall, Eric Gomez and Cesar Hernandez, Mexico writers
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After an eventful debut weekend in Liga MX, another loaded slate of games promises even more excitement in the second week of the Apertura. Our Liga MX writers Tom Marshall, Eric Gomez and Cesar Hernandez all pick out a matchup to watch for this weekend.

Chivas vs. Cruz Azul

Few topics could accentuate just how quickly things can change in Liga MX -- a league with two seasons (and two playoffs) per year -- than the volatile fortunes of Cruz Azul and Chivas over the last few months.
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Chivas were crowned kings of CONCACAF last April and while there were signs of trouble, Matias Almeyda was still head coach and there hadn't been any confirmation of the "financial consolidation" the club was undergoing.

17. PACHUCA (-8)
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Record: 0W-0D-2L
Week 1 ranking: 9

On Saturday, Pachuca displayed a timid approach against a team that clearly has less talent than they do. As baffling as it was to see Pako Ayestaran's team concede the game's tempo and possession to Queretaro, it was even more disheartening to see the lack of urgency after they went down on the scoreboard.

18. VERACRUZ (no change)

Record: 0W-0D-2L
Week 1 ranking: 18 carli lloyd youth jersey


Last season, this team showed some serious flashes under Memo Vazquez as they avoided relegation by storming up the table. They're going to need a similar run if they don't want to languish at the bottom --a 2-0 loss against Lobos BUAP, even away from home, is inexcusable.

16. CHIVAS (-4)
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Record: 0W-0D-2L
Week 1 ranking: 12


Under Jose Cardozo's stewardship, this team hasn't yet done much to write home about. Two games, two losses. The bigger storylines have come off the pitch. Last weekend, a group of fans protested the team's upper management in response to their offseason debacle.

17. PACHUCA (-8)

Record: 0W-0D-2Lashlyn harris soccer youth jersey

Week 1 ranking: 9

On Saturday, Pachuca displayed a timid approach against a team that clearly has less talent than they do. As baffling as it was to see Pako Ayestaran's team concede the game's tempo and possession to Queretaro, it was even more disheartening to see the lack of urgency after they went down on the scoreboard.

13. LOBOS BUAP (+4)
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Record: 1W-0D-1L
Week 1 ranking: 17

The 2-0 win against an equally sorry Veracruz gets them out of the cellar, but this is still a very poorly constructed team with nearly no creative options in midfield. They'll suffer, and they'll likely linger at the bottom of the relegation table once more for most of the season.

14. ATLAS (-1)

Record: 0W-1D-1L
Week 1 ranking: 13

This roster looks like a first-time FIFA videogame player built it. Two slow, lumbering center-backs. Central midfielders who are clearly better suited to play on the wings. Wingers who can't cross or cut inside. Box-hound forwards who have to come out of the area to receive passes. It's going to be a long season, guys.

15. LEON (-5)
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Record: 0W-0D-2L
Week 1 ranking: 10

Leon's offseason signings were predicated on fixing a defensive unit that had been Mexico's worst last season.alex morgan youth jersey
Through two Liga MX games and a Copa MX match, here's how that's working out so far: no wins, three losses and eight goals conceded. To boot, they had two players sent off last weekend.

12. SANTOS LAGUNA (-5)

Record: 1W-0D-1L
Week 1 ranking: 7 sydney leroux youth jersey


Last season, Santos' offensive flaws were readily covered up by the speed and power of Djaniny, who could take a simple lateral pass and turn it into a highlight-reel goal. Now that the Cape Verde international is gone, those flaws are on display -- against Morelia, they were coupled by a few howlers in defense in a 3-1 loss.

13. LOBOS BUAP (+4)

Record: 1W-0D-1L
Week 1 ranking: 17 tobin heath youth jersey


The 2-0 win against an equally sorry Veracruz gets them out of the cellar, but this is still a very poorly constructed team with nearly no creative options in midfield. They'll suffer, and they'll likely linger at the bottom of the relegation table once more for most of the season.

;D hi

10. NECAXA (-8)

Record: 1W-0D-1L
Week 1 ranking: 2mia hamm youth jersey


Whether they win, lose or draw, Necaxa will likely be at the top of the Liga MX entertainment rankings all season long. While most managers would have looked to protect a second-half lead away from home, Marcelo Michel Leano went for broke. In the end, a 2-1 lead turned into a 5-3 loss.

11. CLUB TIJUANA (-6)

Record: 1W-0D-1L
Week 1 ranking: 5
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A timid, uninspired performance on the road from Xolos, who had the ball for all of 31 percent of the game, put one shot on target and completed 220 passes to Tigres' 548. If Necaxa's style will be equal parts entertaining and frustrating at times, it looks like Tijuana's will just be the latter when they go on the road.

8. TOLUCA (no change)

Record: 1W-0D-1L meghan klingenberg youth jersey


Week 1 ranking: 8

Although they lost on Friday night in Puebla, Toluca outshot their opponents, held the ball for far longer and completed 87 passes more during the match. The loss will be hard to process, but there's far more to be hopeful about than there is to be worried about at this point.

9. PUEBLA (+6)
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Record: 1W-0D-1L
Week 1 ranking: 15

The soccer gods blessed Enrique Meza's team in their home opener, after a Week 1 loss against Cruz Azul in which it appeared they deserved much more. This time around, Puebla grabbed all three points despite being dominated by Toluca for large stretches of the game.

sry hab ich überlesen!

Good