Here are my sure to be completely incorrect predictions for the upcoming Clausura 2016.
- Tigres
- Chiapas
- Pumas
- Monterrey
- Puebla
- America
- Chivas
- Veracruz
- Pachuca
- Atlas
- Toluca
- Santos
- Leon
- Tijuana
- Cruz Azul
- Morelia
- Dorados
- Queretaro
I just wrote all of these club names down and assigned them a random order after Tigres, basically. Many of the sides that fell outside of the Liguilla in the 2015 Apertura have strengthened. Chivas are better. Pachuca are better. Monterrey are at least better in attack. Atlas, well, hopefully they are better. None of the sides that qualified appear to be worse off, either.
There is no doubt that Tigres are the pick of the litter, with some of the league's best starting talent and exceptional depth. Even with the offensive talent present, Tigres took the Apertura crown largely on the back of the best defense in the league, mainly Guido Pizarro, their exceptional, deep-lying, timekeeper. Pizarro's contribution cannot be understated. Tigres broke sides down with simple, organized and patient possession which limited chances for opposing sides. This was by no means Tiki Taka. Pizarro was the fulcrum for this possession, moving the ball side to side and providing an outlet whenever needed. Tigres return with very much the same side in place, with some additions to the bench.
After Tigres, there are any number of challengers. Monterrey have improved an already formidable attack by adding Carlos Sanchez, fresh off being named South American Player of the Year. The smooth headed Sanchez had previously shown flashes of his talent for Puebla two years ago. However, Monterrey have not patched what was already a suspect defense, replacing outgoing inconsistent defender Stefan Medina with inconsistent defender Miguel Angel Herrera. Walter Ayovi is back at the club where he spent four years, which is an upgrade if you are into timeless Ecuadorian artifacts.
Pachuca come into the season with a new starting XI and an American to boot in Omar Gonzalez, while keeping their young and talented core of Lozano, Gutierrez and Pizarro. Side note, in addition to all of their new players, they also own the rest of Liga MX's players and just loan them out to other teams (possibly an exaggeration).
Of course the biggest story of the Clausura is the return of Miguel Herrera. Not the one I mentioned before, the chunky one. Tijuana parted ways with Juan Arango and replaced him with the younger left foot of Jesus Escoboza. Once a national team fringe player, Escoboza never really became a first team player and struggled with consistency at Santos. Greg Garza is back! USA USA USA! Tijuana also brought Juninho over from the LA Galaxy, so also kind of USA! Tijuana haven't made any significant upgrades in any area and looked primed to lose out on a Liguilla spot unless Miguel Herrera can summon more of his 3-5-2 magic.
I put America in the Liguilla but I have no idea why. They added one player, ended the Clausura in disarray, but they are America so hey, why not put them in there? Usually works out in the end.
The side that will drop the most in the Clausura will be Toluca. I picked them to win the last Liguilla, so I am angry at Toluca and this probably does play a part in my decision. Seriously though, while defensively sound I question whether Uribe and Triverio can recapture the magic of the Apertura.
The only thing I am truly sure of in these predictions is that Cruz Azul, Dorados, Queretaro, and Morelia, are all going to have less than 20 points. Now that I have made this bold proclamation, congratulations to all four of you are on your playoff spots. On the bright side for USMNT fans, Dorados may actually play Joe Benny Corona on a consistent basis, something that hasn't been done by anyone since 2012.
You can argue with me on Twitter at @ronalgringo.
