Liga MX Best XI From The 2020 Apertura Season

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Thrown onto the pitch in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, it was extraordinary to not only see Liga MX players take part in an atypical Liga MX season, but to also excel within it.

Risking themselves week in and week out, a number of figures in the league found a way to conquer many novel obstacles that unexpectedly emerged in a bizarre year. While many greatly exceeded expectations, others triumphed with a trophy at the end of the season.

Here’s to those who created their own silver-linings. After the end of the 2020 Apertura, the following is a list of those within Liga MX that shined the most.

Best Goalkeeper

Alfredo Talavera (Pumas)

It’s not just about the number of his saves, but also the quality of the saves. The 38-year-old’s reflexes were incredible as he kept Pumas alive in the eight draws they had in the regular season. Were it not for some injury problems, he could have also potentially helped them finish as champions instead of finalists.

Best Right-Back

Fernando Navarro (Leon)

Navarro was a chance creator, a dribbler, and somebody who could also find the back of the net — if needed. While playing in an advanced role that required him to help in both the defense and attack, it was impressive to see the defender accumulate a handful of goals and assists.

Best Central Defenders

William Tesillo (Leon)

It’s difficult to find many faults with the Colombian. He was excellent with recovering the ball and disrupting play. Constantly peppering passes forward, the defender — who at times played as a left-back —- was a vital part of the spine of Liga MX’s top team.

Johan Vasquez (Pumas)

It’s only a matter of time before more soccer fans will begin to learn about Vasquez. At just 22 years of age, the young Mexican finished the regular season as the leader in ball interceptions. Occasionally helping out in attack, you see an individual with lots of potential beginning to develop.

Best Left-Back

Yairo Moreno (Leon)

This is an easy selection here. The only other player who could arguably win this award is his teammate, Tesillo, who took over when Moreno was dealing with an injury. Constantly involved in the build up through his pace and dribbling, it wouldn’t be a surprise if a European team took a chance on the modern fullback.

Best Right Midfielder

Angel Mena (Leon)

His numbers speak for themselves. Even after a somewhat slow end to his season, the attack-minded midfielder finished with nine goals and six assists in 21 games. There is an incalculable amount of players in the league who can only wish to finish with these kinds of “average” stats for Mena.

Best Central Midfielders

Luis Montes (Leon)

The hardest working player in the league that was also the heart of Leon’s XI. Montes not only led his team in passing but was also the top passer in Liga MX. The Mexican veteran threaded everything together, covered plenty of ground on the pitch, and when necessary, also provided some golazos. In short: He was the MVP of the 2020 Apertura.

David Cabrera (Necaxa)

If the season ended at the international break in October, it would be Cruz Azul’s Luis Romo here gaining plaudits, and maybe, Cabrera next in line. That said, the significant reason why Necaxa suddenly earned a top 10 place in the standings is thanks to their star midfielder. Cabrera was an excellent playmaker who salvaged Necaxa’s season.

Best Left Midfielder

Sebastian Cordova (Club America)

America fans wanted more from him, and it didn’t help that he had a dip in form near the midpoint of the season, but he still had plenty of miraculous moments. Recently emerging as one of the more mercurial players in the league, the big thing that the young Mexican must now work on is churning out consistent performances that would eventually carry him to a big European club.

Best Strikers

Jonathan Rodriguez (Cruz Azul)

Who else but “Cabecita” for Cruz Azul? The Uruguayan finished as Liga MX’s leading goalscorer in the regular season with 12 in hand. The 27-year-old striker, who is well known for his pace and aggression, appears due for an opportunity with a bigger club outside of the Concacaf region.

Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres)

You can’t argue against his 11 goals in the Liga MX regular season. It says so much about the French striker and expectations of him when 11 goals are just par for the course. Nevertheless, can the now 35-year-old player maintain his goalscoring momentum for another season or two?

Bench

Nahuel Guzman (Tigres), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca), Carlos Salcedo (Tigres), Brayan Angulo (Puebla), Luis Romo (Cruz Azul), Uriel Antuna (Chivas), Juan Ignacio Dinenno (Pumas), Dario Lezcano (Juarez).

Liga MX Best Manager

Ignacio Ambriz (Leon)

Pumas’ Andres Lillini is close behind, but in the end, this award has to go to Ambriz. Through a playing style that has made his team greater than the sum of their parts, the Mexican manager inspired a relentless attack-minded approach that clinched the 2020 Apertura trophy.