Sebastian and Herculez gave their favorite bets. There is a time limit. The final of the Liga MX is now set. The winners of the Clausura tournament will be determined this week with the first and second legs at Atlas and Pachuca. Will Atlas win back-to-back titles? Will Pachuca claim their first Mexican top flight trophy? Everything you need to know about the two finalist. The MLS, LaLiga, and Bundesliga are live on the internet.
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In a two-season format, most champions tend to have a celebratory hangover that spills over into their next tournament. Atlas, who won their first title since 1951 last December, have not taken their foot off the gas. Los Rojinegros remained in the top six after earning many narrow wins and draws.
The Guadalajara side seemed to have reached a new level of confidence after defeating Tigres in the first leg of the semifinal round. Tigres fought back with four goals in the second leg of the semis, but fell just short of Atlas, who scored twice to make it 4-5 on aggregate.
Atlas are more comfortable protecting their net, playing direct, and attempting to win the ball back in dangerous areas, as opposed to many attack-minded teams that are willing to consistently press high and throw numbers forward. Sometimes it isn't the most attractive soccer, but it's the reason why they've been able to match Pachuca's league-best total of 15 goals allowed.
In recent games the formation has changed and confused opponents and members of the media, with Luis Reyes playing in a more central role.
Atlas are not the most threatening team in the league. Although it is difficult to quiet the duo, there is a reliance on goals and assists from the front two. After looking stunned in Tigres, they are coming off of their worst 45 minutes of the season.
Aldo Rocha is in the running, the goalkeeper has been exceptional, and Furch has been crucial in his role up top.
Quinones has seven goals and two assists in his last 10 appearances.
The 30-year-old is a catalyst in the attack that moves cleverly with the ball and constructs opportunities out of thin air. The series could be won by the forward who can find the back of the net.
The title run in the Apertura campaign was not just a flash in the pan. The organization is looking to open a new academy and training facility under a new era of ownership.
It would be a positive end to the season for them, as they were initially associated with the ugly fan violence scenes in their March 5 match at Queretaro. When thinking of Atlas a few weeks ago, the images of their supporters being chased on the pitch of the Corregidora immediately came to mind.
After their players and fans were forced to flee via the pitch and stadium tunnels in Queretaro, some welcome optimism would return to Atlas if they win back-to-back titles.
Pachuca have quickly become the most dominant team in the Mexican league. Despite the fact that they don't have the star power of a Tigres or a Monterrey, Los Tuzos were able to finish at the top of the table in the regular season.
After narrowly beating San Luis in the quarterfinals, the team looked like the one that scored the most goals in the regular season.
Pachuca will enter the final with plenty of motivation after a recent win over Club America gave them a 4-1 aggregate victory in the semis.
Pachuca have maintained a good balance through a roster that has a good mix of up-and-coming talent and experienced foreign names.
In a 4-2-3-1 formation that tends to build-up attacking pressure out to the wings and high-pressing fullbacks, Los Tuzos often score early through crosses towards their strikers and leading scorer Nicolas Iba. Luis Chavez and Victor Guzman are not afraid to take shots when in possession.
When the ball is lofted into their 18-yard box, Pachuca often lose many of their aerial battles. There is a high ceiling for fullbacks like Kevin Alvarez and Daniel Aceves, but they sometimes make mistakes with their positioning and decision-making.
Iba's 14 goals and two assists make him a very strong candidate. Oscar Ustari has been one of the best goalkeepers of the season with his reflexes and saves. The conversation is also about the importance of the two vital players, Guzman and Hurtado.
It has to be Chavez. The central/defensiveMidfielder is a conductor in the heart of the 4-2-3-1 that is able to win back possession, quickly carry the ball forward, score from distance, and connect an incredibly long list of passes together.
Chavez completed more passes in the final third than any other player in the regular season.
The idea that Pachuca's focus on not only developing players, but also giving them minutes, has once again paid off would be reinforced by a trophy. Pachuca used five players who had experience in their academy setup in their last starting XI that defeated Club America. They brought in three more academy players, including Pedro Pedraza, off the bench.
In the 2016 Clausura, when Pachuca won their last Liga MX title, the championship helped spark the young and promising careers of names like Chucky and Rodolfo Pizarro.
If Los Tuzos lift a title again, more rising talents will use this opportunity to make another leap forward.
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