Neither two-time defending champion UNAM Pumas nor Chivas Guadalajara, runner-up of the Clausura 2004, qualified for La Liguilla, the Mexican League's Torneo Clausura playoffs that begin Wednesday with the quarterfinals.
Necaxa, for which Texan Daniel Hernandez appeared in 11 of 17 regular season games, reached the quarterfinals thanks to a late surge. Necaxa won its final three games of the season to finish first in Group 3 and fifth in the overall standings.
Morelia finished first in the overall standings with a 11-4-2 (win-loss-tie) record. Santos' Argentine striker Vicente Matias Vuoso finished first in regular-season scoring with 15 strikes.
QUARTERFINALS (with TV info)
First leg: Tigres-Morelia, Wednesday, May 11, Galavision, 8 pm ET.
Second leg: Morelia-Tigres, Saturday, May 14, Azteca America, 8 pm ET.
First leg: Monterrey-Cruz Azul, Wednesday, May 11, Telefutura, 10 pm ET.
Second leg: Cruz Azul-Monterrey, Saturday, May 14, Azteca America, 6 pm ET.
First leg: Santos-Club America, Thursday, May 12, Azteca America, 8 pm ET.
Second leg: Club America, Santos, Sunday, May 15, Univision, 7 pm ET.
First leg: Necaxa-UAG, Thursday, May 12, Telefutura, 10 pm ET.
Second leg: UAG-Necaxa, Sunday, May 15, Azteca America, 5 pm ET.