Liga MX Femenil had it all this past weekend. There was a big score line from Chivas against Mazaltán, two red cards in the late minutes of stoppage time between rivals Tijuana and FC Juárez and an upset, thanks to Pachuca against Tigres.
We recap it all, including a peek at how Mexico did during the 2023 Revelations Cup.
Highlight: Pachuca 2, Tigres 1
After a shock before the international break with a 3-1 loss to FC Juárez, Tigres is now riding a two-game losing streak after falling to Pachuca. With all their internationals back, Tigres couldn’t keep up with the tandem of Jenni Hermoso and Charlyn Corral, who both found the back of the net for Tuzos.
Hermoso scored first, in the 7th minute. The Spanish international did a little quick pass and return with Corral and shot from the top of the penalty area, firing over goalkeeper Aurora Santiago. After picking up a questionable back-pass in the midfield from Liliana Mercado, Corral sprinted into the box and shot from a tough angle on the right side of the box.
Nancy Antonio, who came on in the 69th minute for defender Natalia Gaitán, scored in the 90th minute for Tigres to prevent a clean sheet and attempt a last-ditch comeback. Antonio’s goal came off a free kick that bobbled in the box and fell to her feet.
Tigres, in the history of the club since their debut in the league in 2017, have never lost two matches in a row until now. In fact, Tigres sits at a staggering sixth place on the Liga MX Femenil table, as of publishing. Carmelina Moscato’s team has a contest with Club León in Week 8, hoping to turn the tide.
Meanwhile, Pachuca’s big victory has catapulted them up to third place, with 18 points. Corral’s goal was her 10th of the year, giving her the slight lead in the Golden Boot race, while Hermoso sits in third with eight goals. (Kiana Palacios of Club América is in between the two with nine goals). Tuzos will take on Club América in Week 8.
Highlight: Club Tijuana 1, FC Juárez 1
There is a lot to talk about from this match. FC Juárez, who stunned Tigres before the international break, came back with a bout against their rival, Club Tijuana. Juárez had all the momentum leading up to the match. Before the break, Tijuana fell flat against Mazatlán before earning a tight 1-0 victory against Pumas. However, the two rivals were ready, and a tie ended this Week 7 battle.
And a battle it was, indeed. Late in the game, eight minutes into second half stoppage time, American international Angelina Hix of Tijuana and Mexican superstar of the season Miah Zuazua got into a scuffle over possession of the ball. Both players, after a bit of shoving, were given a direct red card. However, after the game, FC Juárez coach Mila Martínez said that officials gave the wrong card, stating that if the scuffle happened earlier in the game, yellows would have been awarded.
Meanwhile, Xolos manager said that Hix “takes pushes and shoves” and didn’t initiate the contact against Zuazua. Either way, both players received a red card, and appeals have been sent to the league. Both players, on their personal social media accounts, spoke about the incident afterward, apologizing to their fans.
Zuazua scored the equalizing goal in the 90th minute of the match, while Mónica Alvarado opened up the scoring in the 53rd minute for Tijuana. Both teams will split the points. FC Juárez sits in fifth place on the table, with Tijuana sitting in the final Liguilla spot, eighth place.
Highlight: Mazatlán 0, Chivas 6
It almost seemed like things were looking up for Mazatlán with a victory over Tijuana a few weeks ago. However, Chivas de Guadalajara brought the side back to reality, and sent them down to 17th place on the table.
In fact, matters are only made worse with this result by adding that two of Chivas’ goals were own goals. Karen Hernández and Kenya García each snuck a ball past their goalkeeper María Tarango, making it a forgettable, but learning, evening for the home side.
As for Chivas, Caro Jaramillo scored a brace with goals in the 47th and 81st minutes. Joseline Montoya and Adriana Iturbide also added goals. Plenty of credit for Jaramillo’s first goal has to be given to Montoya, who snuck in a picture-perfect cross between three defenders inside the box.
Jaramillo finished her brace with a wide-open header inside the box. Chivas will take on an Atlas side that narrowly defeated Cruz Azul in Week 7.
Other Clausura Week 7 Scores
- Club América 3-0 Atlético San Luis
- Querétaro 2-2 Club León
- UNAM Pumas 4-1 Santos Laguna
- Puebla 0-2 Toluca
- Atlas 1-0 Cruz Azul
- C.F. Monterrey 3-0 Necaxa
Review: The 2023 Revelations Cup
The Mexican women’s national team almost couldn’t believe it. After failing to qualify on home soil for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup last summer in the Concacaf W Championships, Mexico, now under the guidance of Spanish manager Pedro López, won the Revelations Cup. Not only did El Tri Femenil win the tournament, but they won over three teams that have qualified for the World Cup: Nigeria, Colombia and fellow Concacaf nation, Costa Rica.
Mexico finished the tournament with one win and two draws, the same results of Colombia. However, due to the “fair play” rule, Mexico was awarded the title. Colombia racked up Kiana Palacios finished with two goals and won the Golden Boot, with goals against Nigeria and Costa Rica.
Mexico opened up the tournament with a 1-0 win over Nigeria. Moving on to face their Concacaf rival Costa Rica, Mexico was on their way to a win, until Karina Rodríguez’ own goal led to an equalizer for the Ticas. Finishing off, Mexico drew Colombia with a goal from Stephany Mayor, while Colombia scored off Catalina Usme’s foot.
It’s a good start to the reign of López, who brought in a squad with some new faces, including Juárez standout Zuazua, defender Karol Bernal of Monterrey and fellow Juárez forward Myra Delgadillo.
In fact, a number of players from Mexico saw time in the tournament for other teams. Costa Rica brought a number of players who play their club soccer in Mexico, including Atlas teammates Carolina Venegas and Daniela Cruz, along with Club León defender Lixy Rodríguez.
Uchenna Kanu, formerly of Tigres and now with Racing Louisville FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, suited up for Randy Waldrum’s Nigeria side. Also representing club soccer in Mexico was Chinwendu Ihezuo, who features for Monterrey.
Liga MX Femenil Clausura 2023 Table | Week 7
NOTE: The top eight teams in Liga MX Femenil will qualify for the Liguilla, which are the playoffs.
| Team | W | D | L | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.F. Monterrey | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 21 |
| Chivas de Guadalajara | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 19 |
| Pachuca | 6 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 18 | 18 |
| Club América | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 17 |
| FC Juárez | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 16 |
| UANL Tigres | 5 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 15 |
| Atlas | 4 | 0 | 3 | 17 | -4 | 12 |
| Club Tijuana | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | -1 | 11 |
| Cruz Azul | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Atlético San Luis | 3 | 0 | 4 | 14 | -1 | 9 |
| Querétaro | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -1 | 8 |
| UNAM Pumas | 2 | 1 | 4 | 14 | -2 | 7 |
| Santos Laguna | 1 | 2 | 4 | 15 | -9 | 5 |
| Club León | 1 | 1 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 4 |
| Toluca | 1 | 1 | 5 | 18 | -11 | 4 |
| Puebla | 1 | 0 | 6 | 19 | -15 | 3 |
| Mazatlán | 1 | 0 | 6 | 31 | -28 | 3 |
| Necaxa | 0 | 0 | 7 | 22 | -20 | 0 |
Looking Ahead: Clausura 2023 | Week 8
*All Times in Eastern Time. All matches on ViX streaming for free.
Friday, March 3: FC Juárez vs. C.F. Monterrey at 8:05 PM
Saturday, March 4: Cruz Azul vs. Querétaro at 1 PM
Sunday, March 5: Puebla vs. Mazatlán at 1 PM
Sunday, March 5: Chivas de Guadalajara vs. Atlas at 6 PM
Sunday, March 5: Atlético San Luis vs. Club Tijuana at 6 PM
Sunday, March 5: UANL Tigres vs. Club León at 8 PM
Monday, March 6: Toluca vs. UNAM Pumas at 6 PM
Monday, March 6: Pachuca vs. Club América at 8:05 PM
Monday, March 6: Santos Laguna vs. Necaxa at 10:10 PM
