Mexico's top tier division will determine its champion during the following weeks. After seventeen matches were played, ten teams were dismissed from the championship tournament, and these playoff series seem to be the most competitive in recent years.
Two of the most winning teams in Mexico's history, Toluca and América, will try to add one more title to their trophy cabinets, while other sides such as Jaguares will make a run for their first ever Liga MX title. Let's take a closer look at each of the Quarter final matchups.
(1) Pumas UNAM vs Veracruz (8)
The Apertura 2015 tournament saw Pumas become the most consistent side all seaon long, but Veracruz will be one tough nut to crack. Pumas' coach Guillermo Vázquez has played two final series recently, but he will have to defeat Veracruz's Carlos Reinoso, the eldest coach among those who made it to the Mexican playoff stage.
Back in the Apertura 2004 tournament, these teams met during the Quarter final stage. Pumas prevailed with a 4-1 aggregate and went on to win the title.
First leg: Thursday, November 26th, 20:00 EST at Estadio Luis "Pirata" Fuente in Veracruz.
Second Leg: Sunday, November 29th, 13:00 EST at Estadio Olímpico in Mexico City.
(2) Toluca vs Puebla FC (7)
After a dubious start of the season, Toluca bounced back and placed themselves as the runner up of the regular season. José Cardozo's men had their ups and downs, but their skills and home field advantage could be crucial to see them go all the way. Facing them will be Puebla, a team that had their sights set on adding points to avoid relegation, but ended up earning a playoff berth.
These sides have played against each other in the Mexican "Liguilla" two times. Their first meeting saw "La Franja" emerge victorious with a 2-1 aggregate, but Toluca avenged that loss by destroying the opposition with a 9-0 aggregate score back in the Verano 2000 tournament.
First leg: Thursday, November 26th, 22:00 EST at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla.
Second Leg: Sunday, November 29th, 19:00 EST at Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca.
(3) León vs Club América (6)
"La Fiera" will try to defeat the most winning side in the Mexican top flight in order to reach their third championship in the last five tournaments. During the recently concluded regular season, the team in green made Las Águilas pay for their mistakes with a 3-0 blowout, something that Oribe Peralta & Co. will try to avenge.
These teams have played four playoff series against each other, with León making the most out of them, including their Apertura 2013 finals meeting. "Los Panzas Verdes", led by former Barcelona center back Rafa Márquez, defeated América with a 5-1 aggregate, winning their first title in 21 years.
First leg: Wednesday, November 25th, 20:00 EST at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Second Leg: Saturday, November 28th, 21:06 EST at Estadio Nou Camp in León.
(4) Chiapas FC vs Tigres UANL (5)
The biggest underdog in the Mexican playoffs will be, without a doubt, Ricardo La Volpe's Jaguars. The former El Tri coach in the 2006 World Cup managed to get his team into the Final Eight with good performances and well-planned football, although they will have it really hard to defeat Tigres, the most expensive payroll in all of Liga MX.
This will be the first-ever playoff meeting between these two sides. Their most recent bout ended with a 4-1 score for Tigres, courtesy of a great performance by French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac.
First leg: Wednesday, November 25th, 22:00 EST at Estadio Universitario in Nuevo León.
Second Leg: Saturday, November 28th, 19:00 EST at Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna in Chiapas.
