América, Chivas, Cruz Azul and Pumas have never finished in the top four together
On four occasions, three of the four Mexican giants advanced to the Liga MX ‘Fiesta Grande’, but all four clubs have never finished in the top four places.
Contrary to what some people might think, the teams considered the “Big Four” of Mexican soccer: América, Chivas, Cruz Azul and Pumas, have never managed to qualify together among the top four places of the Liga MX on conclusion of the regular season. With the matchday 17 fixtures signalling the end of the Clausura 2023 regular phase this weekend, it’s an opportune moment to look back at how the big four have fared in previous tournaments.
It is quite a feat that these four clubs, so rich in history, have never managed to automatically qualify for the Liguilla from the regular phase together. There have been times when two of them have gone through and there were four instances since 1996, when three of them finished in the top four.
While it’s true that this has not prevented any of those teams from being crowned Liga MX champions, it is strange that they have not been lumped together more often in the 53 tournaments that have been played - including the current Clausura 2023 and the Clausura 2020 that was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Four occasions when it almost happened...
The first time that three of the big four qualified together in the top four was in the Clausura 2004 when Pumas, Chivas and América finished second, third and fourth respectively, behind overall leaders Chiapas. That year, the Jaguares were eliminated by Cruz Azul in the quarter finals and Pumas went on to be crowned champions.
The second time was in the Apertura 2006 when Cruz Azul, Pumas and América finished first, second and third in the general table along with Toluca in fourth place. Chivas, who had finished in eighth place in the general classification, were the eventual winners.
The third time was in the Clausura 2007 where Chivas, América and Cruz Azul qualified in second, third and fourth place respectively after the regular phase along with general leader Pachuca who was ultimately champion of that contest.
The last time was in the Apertura 2018 when Cruz Azul, América and Pumas advanced directly to the Liguilla as first, second and third in the general classification along with Santos in the top four. América ended up lifting the trophy.
Cruz Azul and Pumas into the playoffs
This year, only two of the big four are likely to finish in the top four of the Clausura 2023. Only América (second on 31 points) and Chivas (third, also on 31 points) have the possibility of occupying two of the first four places in the general classification. Cruz Azul and Pumas occupy the eighth and twelfth place respectively in the general table and will be fighting for a place in the playoffs.