James’ Team León Tests New Direction Against League Leader Toluca
Revamped Outlook for León with Key Match Against Toluca in Mexican Soccer League
León’s Mid-Table Position Faces a Crucial Test Against Leading Toluca
With the opportunity to qualify for the finals still within reach, León, featuring star player James Rodríguez, is set to challenge league leaders Toluca in an important Mexican league match this Saturday. This fixture marks the home debut of Mexican coach Ignacio Ambriz, who recently succeeded Argentine Eduardo Berizzo.
Ambriz, who is 60, faces the task of propelling León from its current 11th position in the tournament standings, with 12 points, to a spot in the playoff zone. With six matches remaining in the regular season, León is just seven points shy of direct qualification and one point away from the playoff zone.
Action-Packed Saturday: León vs. Toluca
Taking place at the Nou Camp, León seeks to rejuvenate their campaign against Toluca, led by Argentine coach Antonio Mohamed. Toluca currently tops the league with 25 points and aims to extend their winning streak to six matches after triumphing in the Campeones Cup. Meanwhile, Monterrey, also with 25 points, provides competition for Toluca’s position at the top as they prepare to face Tijuana on Sunday.
- León aims to enhance its offensive record; they currently have one of the lowest with only 10 goals.
- James Rodríguez has contributed with two goals and one assist despite facing recent injuries.
- Ambriz hopes to unlock Rodríguez’s potential as León targets a strong finish in the regular season.
Ambriz’s Strategic Return to León
This stint represents Ambriz’s second spell coaching León, having previously led the team from 2018 to 2021, winning a league title in the Apertura 2020 and losing the Clausura 2019 final. After less successful ventures with Huesca, Toluca, and Santos, Ambriz is eager for redemption, especially following his 2023 departure from Toluca amidst a contractual dispute.
Exciting Weekend Fixtures in Liga MX
| Day | Match |
|---|---|
| Friday | Necaxa vs. Pachuca, Mazatlán vs. Atlético San Luis, Atlas vs. Juárez |
| Saturday | Querétaro vs. Puebla, León vs. Toluca, Tigres vs. Cruz Azul, América vs. Santos |
| Sunday | Pumas vs. Guadalajara, Tijuana vs. Monterrey |
Liga MX Standings Snapshot
| Pos | Team | Pts | J | G | E | P | GF | GC | Dif |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toluca | 25 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 31 | 14 | 17 |
| 2 | Monterrey | 25 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 17 | 6 |
| 3 | América | 24 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 23 | 11 | 12 |
| 4 | Cruz Azul | 24 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 14 | 7 |
| 5 | Tigres | 22 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 9 | 12 |
| 6 | Tijuana | 19 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 11 | 10 |
| 7 | Juárez | 18 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 12 | 3 |
| 8 | Pachuca | 17 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 13 | 2 |
| 9 | Guadalajara | 14 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 17 | -1 |
| 10 | Pumas | 13 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 17 | -3 |
| 11 | León | 12 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 18 | -8 |
| 12 | Atlético San Luis | 10 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 18 | -2 |
| 13 | Santos | 10 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 18 | -5 |
| 14 | Atlas | 10 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 26 | -8 |
| 15 | Necaxa | 9 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 20 | -9 |
| 16 | Mazatlán | 8 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 20 | -7 |
| 17 | Querétaro | 8 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 20 | -9 |
| 18 | Puebla | 5 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 26 | -17 |
