Now that the Liga MX Clausura 2015 regular season is over, it's time to assess the players involved. The league as a whole changed in important ways, most notably in the incredible amount of parity between teams. That led to intense drama in the relegation race and has also set the stage for a championship free-for-all in the liguilla playoffs still to come.
Here are the players selected in ESPN FC's Liga MX Best XI:
Jesus Corona: Goalkeeper, Cruz Azul
No, Cruz Azul didn't make the playoffs, but Corona couldn't be faulted for his effort. He kept the lowest goals-against rating of any Liga MX club through the entire regular season.
Paul Aguilar: Defender, Club America
Perhaps being denied the chance to play in the championship final last season has made Aguilar hungrier than ever. He is often a spark plug for scoring attacks, as he builds up play from out of the back. Aguilar has also racked up two goals of his own.
Leiton Jimenez: Defender, Veracruz
In addition to being a goal-scoring revelation this season, by notching six goals for Veracruz, the Colombian defender has been a stalwart on the backline for his squad.
Pablo Aguilar: Defender, Club America
The Club America attack has often sputtered throughout this season, but more than once, it has been the Paraguayan defender who has come to the rescue, putting up three key goals on the season.
Edgar Castillo: Defender, Atlas
Castillo isn't imposing as a defender, but he manages to be incredibly active. Likewise, his squad doesn't boast big stars, but as a whole, Atlas is a solid squad that could surprise the big-name teams in the playoffs.
Marco Fabian: Midfielder, Chivas
The race to save the historic club from relegation was one of the most compelling stories of the Clausura season. Fabian, with four goals and three assists, provided a lot of the drama along the way. Now, the story question is whether the club will claim another title.
Damian Alvarez: Midfielder, Tigres
Alvarez has made a big impact on Tigres, even though he has started only four games this season. He still pitched in with three assists and two goals. The veteran will look to lead the way for his squad in the playoffs.
Erick Gutierrez: Midfielder, Pachuca
Pachuca's young midfielder has come into his own this season while still a teen. His play has helped put the Tuzos into the postseason, where they could make some noise against favoured Club America.
Nestor Calderon: Midfielder, Santos Laguna
The Laguneros squad endured a difficult season, but Calderon and his teammates persevered, launching the squad into the Liga MX playoffs by the skin of their teeth. Calderon has quietly put up six goals and two assists on behalf of his club. Any team that overlooks Santos Laguna in the liguilla is foolish.
Julio Furch: Forward, Veracruz
Yes, Dorlan Pabon actually beat out Furch to the league's Golden Boot by scoring one more goal, but Furch was the only player among the top four goal-scorers in Liga MX this season to get his squad to the liguilla. That was no easy task, considering how Veracruz was facing relegation at the start of the season. The young Argentine deserves credit.
Rafael Sobis: Forward, Tigres
Perhaps it's not surprising that Tigres is doing well in the Copa Libertadores at present, because after all, Brazilian Sobis has plenty of experience in that tournament. Yet he still contributed a lot in his first year with Liga MX as well, scoring eight goals to help Tigres finish the regular season at the top of the table.