It doesn’t sound like much, but three draws in Liga MX Femenil was the headliner of Week 12 action. While Tigres and Chivas picked up wins, the results didn’t change the standings too much. Meanwhile, separate draws for Pachuca and Monterrey turned heads.
But, it was the draw between Club América and FC Juárez on April 2 that spoke the most volume.
The two sides finished with a thrilling 3-3 score line. FC Juárez was the team kicking itself for the draw, as the underdog side had momentum and control in the first half. Heading to the locker rooms, Juárez was up, at home, 3-2. A strong second half for Club América saw the two sides split the points.
América midfielder María Mauleon struck first in the 8th minute, giving Club América the road lead, off a header inside the box. In the 18th minute, FC Juárez kicked off their scoring run, as their three goals were scored in a span of seven minutes. Miah Zuazua got it started, scoring off a converted penalty kick.
Jasmine Casarez, the Mexican-American who was recently called up for the Mexican women’s national team, scored in the 21st minute. América goalkeeper Itzel Velasco failed to collect the ball off a Jermaine Seoposenwe cross, coming off her line. The ball slipped out of Velasco’s hands and to the foot of Casarez, who sent it into the empty net.
Seoposenwe, the South African international, got on the scoreboard in the 24th minute, heading a free kick that bounced off the cluster in the box and to her, at the near post. FC Juárez seemed to have all the momentum heading into the half. However, in the moment right before the whistle blew, Club América cut the lead with another tally from Mauleon. This time Mauleon scored after dribbling the ball in the box, surrounded by three green shirts.
Kiana Palacios, who was also called up to the Mexican squad, scored the equalizing goal in the 64th minute. Palacios rose up high in the box on a corner kick and spun around in the air, with the ball hitting the back of her neck and deflecting into goal.
Palacios is now tied in the Golden Boot race for second with C.F. Monterrey’s Christina Burkenroad, as both have 10 goals. The split points pushes América down on the table, moving from second to third, while FC Juárez remains in sixth place.
When the international break is over, América will resume with Week 13 action against UNAM Pumas, while FC Juárez goes on the road to face Sangos Laguna.
Highlight: UNAM Pumas 2, C.F. Monterrey 2
Despite the score here, C.F. Monterrey was the first team to punch their ticket to the Liguilla. The placement is up for grabs, as Monterrey is only one point ahead of Chivas. However, Monterrey is in the playoffs.
But, after winning the first nine matches of the season, Monterrey is seeing a slip in form. The team still hasn’t suffered a loss, but is on a three-game streak of draws. Their latest opponent was UNAM Pumas, who currently sit in 13th place after picking up a point at home.
Diana Evangelista got Rayadas off to a hot start, scoring just 25 seconds into the match. Nigerian international Chinwendu Ihezuo sent the ball across the entire penalty area and found Evangelista. Ihezuo also scored, in first half stoppage time off a one-touch hit inside the box.
However, for Pumas, the equalizer came moments after Ihezuo’s goal. As stoppage time drew to a close, in the first half, Kimberli Gómez took an initial shot and fell to the ground. Monterrey goalkeeper Alex Godínez couldn’t cover up the ball and Gómez, still on the ground, tapped the goal in net.
It’s a long shot for Pumas to make the playoffs. A win would have put them in better position. However, for Monterrey, they are in, and will take on Toluca after the international break. If Monterrey wants to widen the gap, they’ll need to start collecting wins again — and hope that Chivas drops points.
Highlight: Puebla 1, Pachuca 1
Pachuca will, until they put together a three-game winning streak, be forever the butt of my critique on consistency. In the last five games, Pachuca has: lost to Club América (Wk. 8), lost to C.F. Monterrey (Wk. 9), beat Mazatlán (Wk. 10), beat Club Tijuana (Wk. 11) and has now drawn against 16th-place Puebla.
Daniela Auza got the home team on the board first, in the 8th minute, off a quick strike past Renata Masciarelli, with Pachuca defender Jillian Jennings rushing toward Auza. Puebla had the slim 1-0 lead heading into the locker room for halftime. However, Pachuca opened up the second half like a new team, with Jenni Hermoso scoring her 13th goal of the season.
The build up was a thing of beauty. What you don’t see in the clip below is the first part of the build up, with Hermoso passing the ball to Jennings. The American quickly passes the ball to Charlyn Corral, who is stationed right at the top of the goal area. Corral takes one touch and sends it to Hermoso, who takes one hit to get it in goal.
Pachuca didn’t have any other opportunities like this, and settled for the draw. Right now, Tuzos sit in fourth place, with 25 points. After a win against Cruz Azul, Tigres also has the same amount of points, but due to goal differential sit in fifth place. Pachuca needs to find a way to win, and win consistently.
Other Clausura Week 12 Scores
- UANL Tigres 1-0 Cruz Azul
- Chivas de Guadalajara 4-0 Atlético San Luis
- Necaxa 1-4 Toluca
- Atlas 1-0 Querétaro
- Mazatlán 0-3 Club León
- Club Tijuana 2-1 Santos Laguna
Mexico women’s national team to play Dash, Red Stars
The Mexican women’s national will face off with NWSL clubs Chicago Red Stars (April 8) and Houston Dash (April 11) during the upcoming international break. In the last international window, Mexico won the Revelations Cup over Costa Rica, Nigeria and Colombia. This time, they’ll be tested against NWSL clubs — one with Mexican ties.
Maria Sanchez and Diana Ordóñez were called up to the Mexican roster, and both players are rostered on the Houston Dash. Sanchez has been with the team since the 2022 season, and was on loan with the Dash in July 2021. Meanwhile, Ordóñez was traded to Houston at the 2023 NWSL Draft, reuniting with her Mexican teammate.
They aren’t the only NWSL players on the Mexican roster as Katie Johnson also earned a call up. Johnson formerly played for the Chicago Red Stars from 2019-21, and joined Angel City FC this offseason.
Three midfielders could earn their first caps for Mexico. Jasmine Casarez, a dual national who has elected to represent Mexico, where she has played with FC Juárez since the beginning of 2022. Meanwhile, Andrea Hernández of FC Juárez and Gaby Valenzuela of Chivas could see their first international appearances, too.
The two matches will be held, respectively, in Chicago (April 8) and Houston (April 11).
Liga MX Femenil Clausura 2023 Table | Week 12
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 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 27 | 30 |
| Chivas de Guadalajara | 9 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 20 | 29 |
| Club América | 8 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 30 | 27 |
| Pachuca | 8 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 19 | 25 |
| UANL Tigres | 8 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 25 |
| FC Juárez | 6 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 10 | 21 |
| Club Tijuana | 6 | 3 | 3 | 19 | -2 | 21 |
| Atlas | 6 | 1 | 5 | 26 | -8 | 19 |
| Toluca | 4 | 3 | 5 | 21 | -5 | 15 |
| Atlético San Luis | 4 | 2 | 6 | 22 | -5 | 14 |
| Club León | 4 | 2 | 6 | 21 | -6 | 14 |
| Cruz Azul | 2 | 6 | 4 | 14 | -1 | 12 |
| UNAM Pumas | 2 | 6 | 4 | 18 | -2 | 12 |
| Querétaro | 2 | 5 | 5 | 9 | -3 | 11 |
| Santos Laguna | 2 | 3 | 7 | 22 | -10 | 9 |
| Puebla | 2 | 3 | 7 | 25 | -16 | 9 |
| Mazatlán | 1 | 1 | 10 | 40 | -35 | 4 |
| Necaxa | 1 | 0 | 11 | 33 | -27 | 3 |
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Looking Ahead: Clausura 2023 | Week 13
*All Times in Eastern Time. All matches on ViX streaming for free.
Friday, April 14: Querétaro vs. Atlético San Luis at 7:05 PM
Saturday, April 15: UNAM Pumas vs. Club América at 2 PM
Sunday, April 16: Puebla vs. Cruz Azul at 2 PM
Sunday, April 16: Club Tijuana vs. Atlas at 11:10 PM
Monday, April 17: Toluca vs. C.F. Monterrey at 7 PM
Monday, April 17: Chivas de Guadalajara vs. Club León at 7:05 PM
Monday, April 17: UANL Tigres vs. Mazatlán at 9 PM
Monday, April 17: Pachuca vs. Necaxa at 9:06 PM
Monday, April 17: Santos Laguna vs. FC Juárez at 11:10 PM
