For a third time in Liga MX Femenil’s current Clausura campaign, Tigres have been handed a loss. It’s a new record for them — and one that Tigres didn’t want to break.
Tigres had never lost more than one game in regular-season play. This season, Tigres has been handed losses by Pachuca and FC Juárez — all within the last five weeks. The latest loss to Tijuana saw Xolos star Renae Cuéllar and striker Dulce Alvarado find the back of the net.
Cuéllar, the Mexican international, picked up a lucky bounce off a corner kick. Originally, the kick bounced off the head of one of her teammates inside the box, and then made its way over to the far post, where Cuéllar hit the one-touch volley off her left foot past Tigres goalkeeper Aurora Santiago.
To add insult to injury, Alvarado’s goal came off a major defensive error by Tigres. Santiago came off her line as Paola Villamizar struck a cross into the box. However, running straight for goal to attempt a clearance, Anika Rodríguez got her foot on the ball, but collided with her goalkeeper, sending the ball up in the air. Alvarado found herself in the right spot, and headed the ball past the goal line.
Is Tigres having trouble finding the back of the net without Uchenna Kanu? That could be the issue right now, as Mia Fishel and Kanu had a terrific partnership. Also, the defense is sorely missing the veteran presence of Bianca Sierra, who tore her ACL in the Apertura season. Whatever the reasoning may be, Tigres finds themselves in fifth place with 18 points, but have FC Juárez breathing down their neck.
Although Tijuana’s win gave them three points, Xolos still finds themselves in the “lower ranks” of the playoff teams with 15 points and in seventh place. Tijuana has endured some frustrating losses. They were without Angelina Hix in this match, who was serving a one-game suspension for a red card against Juárez in Week 8.
However, Cuéllar scoring is always a good thing — both for Tijuana and Mexic. Now, Cuéllar and Tijuana need to find a way to make results consistent and stick. Tijuana will take on Necaxa in Week 10.
Highlight: C.F. Monterrey 5, Pachuca 0
The tale remains old as time for Pachuca: lack of consistency. Pachuca has earned big wins against Tigres, Pumas and even put up 10 goals against Toluca. However, Pachuca has also fallen to Club América, FC Juárez and now first-place C.F. Monterrey. And, it wasn’t a close loss either.
Christina Burkenroad went off against Tuzos, scoring a hat-trick. Her first goal came just five minutes after the first kick. After an initial header from Rebeca Bernal hit the crossbar, and Pachuca goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras was on the ground after attempting to clear it, the ball bounced to Burkenroad, who tapped it in the empty net. Burkenroad also added to her tally in the 37th minute and secured the hat-trick in the 54th minute.
Captain Bernal added a goal in the 49th minute, giving Rayadas a big boost after the halftime break. In the 69th minute, Yamile Franco added the fifth and final tally, ending Pachuca’s long evening of conceding goals. On the other end of the pitch, Monterrey goalkeeper Alex Godínez earned a shutout against Pachuca stars Charlyn Corral and Jenni Hermoso.
Monterrey is clear at the top of the table with a spotless record and 27 points in nine games. Monterrey’s biggest test of the season comes next week, though, with a clash against second-place Chivas de Guadalajara — who have 26 points.
Highlight: Club León 1, FC Juárez 0
Club León handed FC Juárez their second-straight loss, and their third loss of the season. Juárez, missing out on their star striker Miah Zuazua after her scuffle with Hix in Week 8 against Tijuana, couldn’t find an equalizer after Mariana Larroquette scored the game-winning goal.
Larroquette, the Argentine international who formerly featured for the Kansas City Current, fought her way through three defenders and managed to keep possession of the ball. Juárez goalkeeper Natalia Acuña rushed off her line to become a fourth defender to surround Larroquette, but the Argentine managed to sneak the ball to her left and in goal.
Club León, as the season begins to reach the middle-mark, are not down and out. They have seven points, and sit in 14th place, but have two favorable matches in the coming weeks against Cruz Azul and Puebla. A couple quick points for León could see them hunting for a spot in the Liguilla.
As for FC Juárez, Las Bravas will look to rebound and get back to their winning ways with a matchup against Atlético San Luis, who sit in ninth place and earned a draw against Toluca in Week 9.
Other Clausura Week 9 Scores
- Querétaro 0-1 Chivas de Guadalajara
- UNAM Pumas 1-1 Puebla
- Atlético San Luis 1-1 Toluca
- Necaxa 1-0 Cruz Azul
- Mazatlán 1-1 Santos Laguna
- Club América 5-0 Atlas
Liga MX Femenil Clausura 2023 Table | Week 9
NOTE: The top eight teams in Liga MX Femenil will qualify for the Liguilla, which are the playoffs.
| C.F. Monterrey | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 27 |
| Chivas de Guadalajara | 8 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 18 | 26 |
| Club América | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 29 | 23 |
| Pachuca | 6 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 12 | 18 |
| UANL Tigres | 6 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 18 |
| FC Juárez | 5 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 16 |
| Club Tijuana | 4 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 15 |
| Atlas | 4 | 0 | 5 | 24 | -10 | 12 |
| Atlético San Luis | 3 | 2 | 4 | 15 | -1 | 11 |
| Cruz Azul | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| UNAM Pumas | 2 | 3 | 4 | 15 | -2 | 9 |
| Querétaro | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -2 | 9 |
| Santos Laguna | 2 | 3 | 4 | 16 | -6 | 9 |
| Club León | 2 | 1 | 6 | 18 | -11 | 7 |
| Puebla | 2 | 1 | 6 | 20 | -14 | 7 |
| Toluca | 1 | 3 | 5 | 19 | -11 | 6 |
| Mazatlán | 1 | 1 | 7 | 33 | -29 | 4 |
| Necaxa | 1 | 0 | 8 | 25 | -22 | 3 |
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Looking Ahead: Clausura 2023 | Week 10
*All Times in Eastern Time. All matches on ViX streaming for free.
Friday, March 17: Atlas vs. UNAM Pumas at 7 PM
Friday, March 17: FC Juárez vs. Atlético San Luis at 9:06 PM
Saturday, March 18: Cruz Azul vs. Club León at 2 PM
Sunday, March 19: Puebla vs. Querétaro at 2 PM
Sunday, March 19: Chivas de Guadalajara vs. C.F. Monterrey at 7 PM
Monday, March 20: Necaxa vs. Club Tijuana at 7 PM
Monday, March 20: Santos Laguna vs. Toluca at 7:05 PM
Monday, March 20: UANL Tigres vs. Club América at 9 PM
Monday, March 20: Pachuca vs. Mazatlán at 9:06 PM
More...