If you’re a soccer fan who loves plenty of goals, it’s time to turn on Liga MX Femenil. In Week 2 of the 2023 Apertura season, a total of 36 goals were scored. It was a big week for shutouts, too, if you find yourself focusing on defense or goalkeeping power. Two of the nine matches had both teams scoring goals, while seven teams completed shutouts.
One of those teams was C.F. Monterrey. Rayadas turned heads this weekend with a 7-0 thumping of Club León. Four of the seven goals were scored by Christina Burkenroad, who is showing off why she was signed through 2025 by the club. Burkenroad was linked to Racing Louisville before putting pen to paper and electing to stay in Mexico.
Burkenroad didn’t waste any time getting on the board, scoring just 15 seconds into the match. The forward cut back in front of León defender Alexa Hernández, and struck from the top of the box. A minute later, Chinwendu Ihezuo took a shot from a similar spot at the top of the box, sending it past León goalkeeper Fedra Cota. Burkenroad scored again in the 10th minute, picking up a poor back-pass from the midfield.
American Carlee Giammona, who attended college at Pepperdine University and has been with Monterrey since the spring 2023 Clausura season, got on the board after finding herself wide open in the box off a steal-and-counter play. Monterrey midfielder Diana García was flanked by two defender and narrowly got the pass off to an open Giammona.
Burkenroad completed her hat trick before halftime, with a slanted shot on goal. The California native outran her defender and then dribbled past goalkeeper Cota, who elected to dive in an attempt to smother the ball.
León thought they had cleaned their defense up enough to keep Monterrey scoreless for a majority of the second half. However, in the 81st minute, Burkenroad found goal No. 4. After a missed bicycle attempt from her teammate, Burkenroad picked up the ball in the box and fired it into the net.
The seventh and final tally — to end León’s long day at the office — came from Myra Delgadillo, who joined the team after spending a full year at FC Juárez. Delgadillo picked up a cut-back and pass from Burkenroad, and shot toward the far post.
Burkenroad currently is tied with Katty Martínez for the Golden Boot, as both sit on four goals. Monterrey will take on Puebla — who started the season with two losses against Chivas and Tigres, two of the toughest teams in the league — in Week 3.
Other Apertura Week 2 Scores
- Querétaro 4-0 Atlético San Luis
- Mazatlán 0-3 Toluca
- FC Juárez 0-4 UANL Tigres
- UNAM Pumas 4-1
- Club América 6-0 Santos Laguna
- Chivas de Guadalajara 2-0 Puebla
- Necaxa 1-2 Club Tijuana
- Pachuca 0-2 Cruz Azul
Noteworthy News from Liga MX Femenil
Renae Cuéllar leaves Club Tijuana: After speculation this summer and then not dressing in Week 1, Club Tijuana, moments before kickoff against Necaxa, announced that forward Renae Cuéllar would not return to the team. In a statement posted on social media, the club stated, “[Club Tijuana] informs that in mutual agreement with Renae Cuéllar, we have decided to terminate our employment relationship. We thank Renae for all her dedication, effort and professionalism that she brought to our colors and the impetus that her goals and performances gave to the Xolos women’s project.” Cuéllar has not announced a new contract within or outside the league.
Liga MX Femenil Apertura 2023 Table | Week 2
NOTE: The top eight teams in Liga MX Femenil will qualify for the Liguilla, which are the playoffs.
| Club América | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
| UANL Tigres | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 |
| Cruz Azul | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| C.F. Monterrey | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Toluca | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Chivas de Guadalajara | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Club Tijuana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Querétaro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| UNAM Pumas | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Pachuca | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Club León | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -5 | 3 |
| Atlético San Luis | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
| FC Juárez | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
| Atlas | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
| Necaxa | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
| Mazatlán | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 0 |
| Puebla | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
| Santos Laguna | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | -8 | 0 |
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Looking Ahead: Apertura 2023 | Week 3
*All Times in Eastern Time.
MAKE UP GAME (Week 1)
Wednesday, July 26: Atlas vs. Querétaro at 10:06 PM
WEEK 3
Friday, July 28: Santos Laguna vs. Chivas de Guadalajara at 9:06 PM
Friday, July 28: UANL Tigres vs. Mazatlán at 11 PM
Saturday, July 29: Cruz Azul vs. UNAM Pumas at 2 PM
Saturday, July 29: Atlas vs. FC Juárez at 9:06 PM
Sunday, July 30: Toluca vs. Pachuca at 2 PM
Sunday, July 30: Puebla vs. C.F. Monterrey at 2 PM
Sunday, July 30: Atlético San Luis vs. Necaxa at 7 PM
Monday, July 31: Club León vs. Querétaro at 9:06 PM
*Club Tijuana vs. Club América has been postponed until Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 9:06 PM.
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