MIAMI, Florida – Nothing is set when it comes to a football match. The professional women’s leagues across Concacaf know a thing or two about keeping fans on the edge of their seats, waiting to see how their favorite teams will perform in a new week of the tournaments.
The Liga MX Femenil keeps surprising everyone, as the Clausura 2023 reaches week eight. Everything is in the air to see who will get those spots to the Liguilla later on in the competition.
FC Juarez suffered their second loss of the season in a 2-0 final against two-time champion Monterrey on Friday evening. Nigerian international Chinwendu Ihezuo opened up the scoring for Rayadas in the 13’ after the Brazas defense left the ball free in the area, as the Monterrey FW was then in position to send it to the back of the net. Captain Rebeca Bernal gave her team the second and final goal of the evening in the 41’ after Christina Burkenroad controlled the ball, sending it into the area where Bernal sealed the game. Monterrey sit in the top position of the table.
A record attendance of 22,000 fans gathered on Sunday evening to witness the Clasico Tapatio, with hosts Guadalajara downing Atlas 2-1. The first goal of the match came in the last minutes of the first half, as Fernanda Limon scored from a corner kick that Chivas’ defense wasn't able to clear. Before halftime though, in the 44’, Gabriela Valenzuela evened things up for Chivas, scoring from outside the area.
The second and final goal of the evening came from the boots of Adriana Iturbide in the 49’, after Valenzuela recovered a lost ball from a corner kick, sending it to the area, where Iturbide finished it off. Chivas are in the second position after securing the three points.
On Monday evening, fans from all over the country were on the edge of their seats watching Pachuca host Club America in one of the most anticipated matches of the week. Just 15 minutes into the game four goals were scored, the first one coming from Club America’s Natalia Mauleon in the 1’, who recovered the ball, read the space and beat the Pachuca GK for a 1-0 lead to Las Aguilas. However, just minutes later in the 5', Spanish international Jenni Hermoso received the ball and shot from outside the area, evening things up for Las Tuzas, 1-1.
The goals didn’t stop coming. In the 9’, Club America GK Itzel Gonzalez was unable to control the ball and Pachuca’s Karen Diaz didn’t miss, sending it to the back of the net, giving her team the advantage. But this didn’t last long, as Katty Martinez was ready in the area and scored a header in the 15’, after a pass from the other side of the pitch from Sabrina Enciso, tying the game once again, 2-2.
The final goal of the night came from a penalty kick and from another Spanish international, with Andrea Pereira taking the ball and scoring, giving Club America the 3-2 victory.
Week five of the Apertura 2023 in Costa Rica was full of action.
Saprissa FF stayed in first place, adding three points after downing CS Herediano 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. The only goal of the day came early in the match in the 2’ from the boots of Gloria Villamayor, who got past the defensive line and received a long pass pass before volleying into goal.
Sunday afternoon also saw a 1-1 tie between Municipal Perez Zeledon at home versus Dimas Escazu. Just after the initial whistle sounded, Alexa Aguilar of Perez Zeledon scored the opening goal from a narrow angle for a 1-0 lead.
The visitors didn’t let this early goal distract them from their mission and game plan, and the concentration and hard work paid off. With the second half underway, in the 69’ Fernanda Figueroa sent the ball to the back of the net, leveling things up. With this result, Perez Zeledon are seventh in the table with three points, while Dimas Escazu are fourth with seven points.
Sporting FC welcomed Municipal Pococi on Friday evening to the Ernesto Rohmoser Stadium, topping the visitors 2-1, putting them in third position. The first strike came from the hosts, with Lourdes Viana scoring just before the first half ended in the 45’. Municipal Pococi went into the second half of the game with everything they had, getting their reward in the 61’, when Priscilla Lobo scored the goal that leveled the scoreline.
But Sporting FC showed why they have one of the top spots of the table, with Raquel Chacon stepping up for her team and scoring the winning goal in the 76’. The Albinegras now have eight points and are aiming to be in the playoffs later this season.
