📉 Liga MX Play-In Preview: How did América, Chivas end up in this mess?

Two of Mexico's four grandes are scrapping to get into the Liguilla proper

Liga MX is often set up to benefit the big boys. Back in the days when relegation existed¹, the worst team of the season didn’t go down, but rather the team that was the worst over the last three years.

Why?

It meant if one of the big clubs, a Chivas, a Cruz Azul, a Pumas, an América, stumbled, there would be plenty of chances to find their footing and avoid the drop. Meanwhile, clubs in places like Chiapas, Veracruz and San Luis fell into the abyss.

But even the Mexican soccer bosses who agreed to mimic the NBA’s play-in format couldn’t have expected this.

On a Thursday night that may break television ratings records in Mexico², both of the league’s biggest clubs are in action, fighting for their playoff lives.

First, Chivas face cross-town rival Atlas in a match that will see the winner move into another play-in game and the loser’s season end.

Later in the night Club América takes the field on the border in Tijuana, facing Xolos. The winner of that game secures the No. 7 seed, while the loser has to play the winner of the other game for the last spot.

That means, of course, that we could have a Clásico Nacional on Sunday for the right to earn the No. 8 seed and go into the Liguilla.

That’s what will happen, but why did these historic clubs get to this point?

Let’s talk about both - plus the two teams who hope to end their Liguilla hopes entirely and find their own places in the final eight.