Players are on the move in Liga MX Femenil. While some are choosing to stay in the Mexican league, others are moving abroad.
Of course, the biggest news of the last week was the departure of Mia Fishel from UANL Tigres, where she won the Golden Boot in the 2022 Apertura season, the same year she won a championship.
Now, Fishel is on her way to Chelsea FC, after being linked to the club throughout the summer. Fishel’s transfer fee was a whopping $250,000, according to reporting from Jeff Kassouf. Tigres posted an emotional goodbye video to Tigres, with her acknowledging and thanking her teammates, but calling Chelsea her “dream club.”
However, Fishel’s signing wasn’t the only noteworthy move. Instead, a move internal to the league has certainly raised eyebrows. After the success of FC Juárez last season — Las Bravas qualified for their first-ever Liguilla last year after nearly consistent bottom of the table finishes previously — many of the “big teams” in the league have poached players.
Miah Zuazua is the latest on the move — previously, South African international Jermaine Seoposenwe left Juárez and signed with C.F. Monterrey. Zuazua had a stellar season last year, scoring six goals in 13 matches. Her play impressed the national team, too, earning her first call up in June 2022. However, she did not play her first international match until the 2023 Revelations Cup.
Too. Much. Style. 
pic.twitter.com/f3q3MS35cC
— Club América Femenil (@AmericaFemenil) August 4, 2023
pic.twitter.com/f3q3MS35cC— Club América Femenil (@AmericaFemenil) August 4, 2023
Zuazua joined Club América, the reigning champions, adding to the already power-house attacking core of Alison González, Katty Martínez, Sarah Luebbert and Kiana Palacios. América has the ability to go back-to-back for a number of reasons, but adding Zuazua gives them another attacking option for an already great offensive team. In fact, América, in just four matches, has already scored 20 goals.
If you look at the top five for the Golden Boot race, the number one spot isn’t held by an América player — at least right now. Palacios has four goals, tying her teammate Martínez and Tigres forward Maricarmen Reyes for second place. Then, there’s Betzy Cuevas and Andrea Pereira, América teammates, with three goals to tie for fifth.
But, even without Zuazua, all hope isn’t lost for FC Juárez.
Jasmine Casarez scored seven goals last year for FC Juárez, and she is making up for Zuazua’s absence. The team hasn’t enjoyed the hottest start to the season — the Week 4 win over Cruz Azul was their first of the season after one draw and two losses — but Casarez found the net twice, with her goal being the game-winner against Cruz Azul. Offensive assistance is also being provided by Sayuri Watari, who scored both goals in the 3-2 loss against Atlas in her rookie season.
Needless to say, FC Juárez is sitting in 12th place and needs to play catch up before it’s too late. On paper, their upcoming matches against Toluca and Club León are winnable. However, last season, this was a Juárez team that kept up with Tigres, Monterrey and Chivas. They already lost to Tigres, 4-0, in Week 2.
In Week 7, Las Bravas will take on Monterrey. Will they be able to keep up, or will they see another massive blanking?
Other Apertura Week 4 Scores
- Querétaro 0-2 Club Tijuana
- Pachuca 3-1 Atlético San Luis
- UNAM Pumas 1-0 Santos Laguna
- Club América 4-1 Toluca
- C.F. Monterrey 2-0 Atlas
- Chivas de Guadalajara 2-2 UANL Tigres
- Necaxa 2-1 Puebla
- Mazatlán 0-1 Club León
Liga MX Femenil Apertura 2023 Table | Week 4
NOTE: The top eight teams in Liga MX Femenil will qualify for the Liguilla, which are the playoffs.
| Club América | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 12 |
| UANL Tigres | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 10 |
| C.F. Monterrey | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 10 |
| Cruz Azul | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 9 |
| Club León | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -2 | 9 |
| Chivas de Guadalajara | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Toluca | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| Club Tijuana | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -1 | 7 |
| Querétaro | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Pachuca | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| UNAM Pumas | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 6 |
| FC Juárez | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | -4 | 4 |
| Atlético San Luis | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | -5 | 4 |
| Necaxa | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
| Atlas | 1 | 0 | 3 | 10 | -6 | 3 |
| Puebla | 0 | 0 | 4 | 11 | -10 | 0 |
| Mazatlán | 0 | 0 | 4 | 13 | -11 | 0 |
| Santos Laguna | 0 | 0 | 4 | 13 | -12 | 0 |
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Looking Ahead: Apertura 2023 | Week 5
*All Times in Eastern Time.
Friday, Aug. 11: Club León vs. Club Tijuana at 9:06 PM
Friday, Aug. 11: Santos Laguna vs. Querétaro at 11:10 PM
Saturday, Aug. 12: Cruz Azul vs. C.F. Monterrey at 2 PM
Saturday, Aug. 12: Necaxa vs. Chivas de Guadalajara at 9 PM
Saturday, Aug. 12: UANL Tigres vs. Pachuca at 11 PM
Sunday, Aug. 13: Puebla vs. UNAM Pumas at 2 PM
Sunday, Aug. 13: Toluca vs. FC Juárez at 2 PM
Sunday, Aug. 13: Atlético San Luis vs. Mazatlán at 7 PM
Monday, Aug. 14: Atlas vs. Club América at 11:06 PM
More...