Liga MX Notebook: Clausura 2023 opens with brilliant moments but unavoidable controversy

Pachuca has not missed a beat after conquering the Apertura 2022 season with a lopsided 8-2 aggregate victory in the final. Los Tuzos (The Gophers) opened the Clausura 2023 campaign with a 5-1 victory over Puebla and they barely broke a sweat.

Every match started with a moment of silence and white balloons launched to the sky in remembrance of the recently passed soccer legend Pelé. Pachuca players wore Brazil #10 jerseys, and unveiled a permanent throne prior to their match, while Pumas UNAM players wore uniforms with Pelé's signature inscribed on the front and back of each player's jersey.

Necaxa, celebrating its 100th anniversary, kicked off the season by hosting Atletico San Luis on Friday. The match was a close encounter on the scoreboard but the visitors took the three points and ruined Andres Lillini's first match as head coach of Los Rayos.

Club America and Queretaro played to a deadlock to start the Saturday slate. The two played to a scoreless draw as former FC Dallas' Alejandro Zendejas was denied his version of the "hand of god."

Chivas of Guadalajara obtained a narrow victory over Monterrey in the highlight match of the week for many, before Monterrey jetted off to Austin for Tuesday's friendly with River Plate. Alexis Vega scored the lone goal to kick off the Veljko Paunović era with three points.

Pumas UNAM had a narrow victory of their own, home to Juarez, as Dani Alves picked up an assist. Tigres UANL breezed to a 3-0 win at Santos Laguna under new manager Diego Cocca, further advancing the Norteño club's cause as a Clausura favorite. André-Pierre Gignac led the conversation with his goal celebration, imitating an old man — perhaps a dig at prior coach Miguel Herrera who called the squad "old" last October.

Cruz Azul took a 1-1 draw at Tijuana to end the Sunday slate. It may have been a good result but one that was overshadowed by a series of off-season events around La Maquina. 

Two matches were postponed this week for different reasons. Friday's Mazatlan vs. Leon encounter was called off on Thursday following the violence in the state of Sinaloa following the arrest of Ovidio Guzman, a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel and son of drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. Saturday's Atlas vs. Toluca match was canceled due to poor field conditions at the Estadio Jalisco, most recently affected by hosting a concert.

A date has not been given for the rescheduling of either game. It is reported that Atlas will face a fine ranging anywhere from around $235 to nearly $94,000 USD.

The standings

Pachuca begins the season as the top dog in the standings due to their win and big goal differential. 

1. Pachuca - 3 pts
2. Tigres UANL - 3 pts
3. San Luis - 3 pts
4. Pumas UNAM - 3 pts
5. Guadalajara - 3 pts
6. Cruz Azul - 1 pt
7. Club Tijuana - 1 pt
8. Club America - 1 pt
9. Queretaro -1 pt
10. Atlas - 0 pts
11. Leon - 0 pts
12. Mazatlan - 0 pts
13. Toluca - 0 pts
14. Necaxa - 0 pts
15. Juarez - 0 pts
16. Monterrey - 0 pts
17. Santos Laguna - 0 pts
18. Puebla - 0 pts

Playoff picture: The top four directly advance to Liguilla Quarterfinals. Seeds 5-12 face off in the play-in round to determine the remaining spots.

Coefficient Table

The coefficient table, which measures the winning percentage of the past six seasons, determines the three clubs that will pay a fine for poor results at the end of the season. Based on that, this is current bottom three and the teams most pressured to win ASAP:

• 16 - FC Juarez
• 17 - Tijuana
• 18 - Queretaro

Surprise(s) of the Week

The first weekend of the Clausura brought three away victories but which of these was more surprising to you?

Necaxa was at home to kick off the celebration of a landmark year in its history. Former Pumas UNAM coach Andres Lillini was not expected to fix everything right away but a win in his debut wasn't farfetched. Atletico de San Luis, meanwhile, continues a rebuild under Brazilian coach Andre Jardine. The win itself is not entirely the upset but rather the manner in which the Potosinos dominated the home team. San Luis eventually capitalized on its increased possession in the 63rd minute on a strike from Atletico de Madrid loanee Juan Manuel Sanabria, and extended the lead four minutes later as new signing Leo Bonatini capitalized on an interception for a beautiful chip goal. A chaotic play that appeared to be a handball turned into a quick counter and the first Necaxa goal in the 72nd minute. Zaragoza loanee Sabin Merino pounced on a sleeping defense in the 89th minute to make it 3-1 San Luis. That goal decided the three points as Necaxa would score eight minutes into stoppage time.

For others, perhaps the winning start to a Chivas season is the surprise. Former Chicago Fire coach Veljko Paunovic started his Liga MX career with a victory after Alexis Vega proved to be the difference. Monterrey's expensive squad, led by renowned Mexican manager Victor Manuel Vucetich, left much to be desired. To add to the disappointment, Germán Berterame blew a penalty that would have given Rayados a draw in their home opener. Could this be the start to a thriving season under the Serbian coach at Guadalajara? Will it end with another coaching change if results don't change in Monterrey?

An honorable mention goes to Club America, unable to pick up a victory at the Azteca over lowly Queretaro.

Goal of the week

Luis Chavez delivered a free-kick goal, similar to his strike at the World Cup, and the defending champions led as quickly as the fifth minute. Despite holding a 2-1 lead at the half, the match was visually out of reach and the scoreline would go on to reflect that as the Monday night encounter capped off a wild opening weekend.

Quote of the week

The lack of action from Cruz Azul — after defender Julio César Domínguez hosting a narco-themed party for his twelve-year-old — leads the off-field conversation this week. The insensitivity to post about it on social media, especially following the rise in violence in the country, is bringing Cata and the club daily criticism. A few first-team players were photographed at the party but the outrage comes more from the children in the photos idolizing the narco culture, some even wearing Cruz Azul gear, as it is believed some are members of the club's academy.

Here's how the player sought to make amends on Instagram:

Through this medium, I offer a sincere apology for the images disseminated on my social networks in relation to a children's party.

I acknowledge that these do not contribute to creating a better impression of Mexico and that neither I nor my family promote or justify any type of violence.

We are people who promote sport in the new generations, in addition to the values and principles of an exemplary institution, such as the Cruz Azul soccer club.

The player reportedly trained with the team on Monday despite not making the trip to Tijuana for Sunday's match. His exclusion from that match is reported to be only the first measure by the club to address the situation, with a fine from the league also expected, according to ESPN journalist León Lecanda.

It took four days for the league and club to issue a response. Released on Tuesday, the league and the club jointly put out a general statement that the institutions do not approve or support violence and that the player would receive sensitivity training. Here is the translated statement:

JOINT DECLARATION

Regarding the unfortunate and unacceptable events reported last Saturday involving the player Julio César Domínguez, LIGAMX and Club Cruz Azul report:

1-. The two institutions disapprove of the acts and reject any demonstration that promotes violence.

2-. The Cruz Azul Soccer Club, in accordance with its internal regulations, from the outset took preventive and corrective measures to resolve this situation and prevent it from happening again.

In addition, the Club will provide support, training and awareness to the player in relation to this sensitive issue.

3-. It was agreed that the player Julio César Domínguez will give a message to public opinion today to establish his position and version of the facts.

LIGA MX and Club Cruz Azul reiterate their rejection of any behavior that lacks professional ethics and the manifestation of any act that incites violence.

Number of the Week: $6 million and $600

The number to match for Greek club Panathinaikos for the services of Uriel Antuna was $6 million, sources told ESPN. Cruz Azul was unwilling to negotiate for anything lower, meaning the Mexican winger will be staying in Liga MX for the moment.

Cruz Azul goalkeeper José de Jesús Corona was robbed at a stoplight after leaving training last week. The stolen articles amounted to around $600 in value, according to ESPN.

(It's been a hell of a week for Cruz Azul.)

What we’re looking forward to this week

Atlas and Mazatlan will kick off the second match week of the half-season with an encounter of teams playing their first match of the year due to the postponed announcements. Atletico de San Luis and Guadalajara kick off the Friday slate with two teams that won their first match.

Saturday will bring two Liguilla rematches, with Cruz Azul and Monterrey facing off, as well as Toluca and Club America. Expect these to be tightly contested and among the better encounters of the weekend.

A contender for match of the week is Sunday's marquee encounter between Tigres UANL and Pachuca. It will be a match of two teams looking to solidify their statuses as bona fide favorites.

Matches on TUDN are available with English commentary on TUDN Xtra (available on select platforms).

Here are the matches and TV listing for Jornada 2:

Thursday, January 12

• 9 p.m. CT - Atlas vs. Mazatlan (TUDN)

Friday, January 13

• 7 p.m. CT - Atletico de San Luis vs. Guadalajara (ViX+)
• 9 p.m. CT - Puebla vs. Queretaro (TUDN)

Saturday, January 14

• 5 p.m. CT - Cruz Azul vs. Monterrey (Univision & TUDN)
• 7 p.m. CT - Juarez vs. Tijuana (FS2, FOX Deportes)
• 7 p.m. CT - Toluca vs. Club America (Univision & TUDN)
• 9 p.m. CT - Santos Laguna vs. Pumas UNAM

Sunday, January 15

• 7 p.m. CT - Tigres UANL vs. Pachuca (TUDN)

Monday, January 16

• 9 p.m. CT - Leon vs. Necaxa (ViX+)

We'll recap these matches and the rest of the off-field circus next week!