Liguilla landscape coming into focus for Liga MX Femenil

MIAMI, Florida – As the weeks go by, each league is reaching critical points in their season, including the Liga MX Femenil where teams are qualifying to the Liguilla, while others are still trying to reach the top eight to get into the postseason.

Over the weekend, Pachuca was one of the teams that qualified to the Liguilla, after drawing in Guadalajara against Atlas 1-1 on Sunday afternoon. The only goal from Las Tuzas came from a Janelly Farias header in the 10’ after a corner kick.

The hosts pulled level in the second half in the 58’ from the boots of Brenda Ceren, who controlled the ball and scored from the right side of the field, earning Atlas a key point that keeps them in the Liguilla hunt.

Another team that clinched their Liguilla ticket was Club America, after downing Queretaro 2-1 on Monday evening. In the 45’, Natalia Mauleon gave Las Aguilas their first goal when the Queretaro GK tried to clear the ball but was intercepted by Mauleon, who scored from inside the area.

Kiana Palacios was the author of the second Club America goal in the 57’, when after a free kick, she received the ball just in time to push it past the defensive line of the Gallos. The visitors pulled one back in the 69’ from a header courtesy of Leidy Ramos after a free kick. In the end though, Club America hung on for the three points.

Liga Femenina Costa Rica

The Apertura 2023 of Costa Rica is also putting on a show, with the teams pushing week after week to get a spot in the Playoffs later this year.

Sporting FC is demonstrating they want to go all out in the tournament, marching past CS Herediano 4-0 on Friday evening. Just inside of 10 minutes they scored their first goal through Karla Riley.

The goals kept coming in the second half, with Daniela Coto raising her hand in the 60’ and 83’, giving her team a lead the visitors weren’t able to overcome. In the last minute, in the 90’, Emily Flores closed the game for Sporting, scoring the fourth and final goal to give her team the three points, lifting them to third position in the table.

LD Alajuelense is defending their title in every game, and picked up another home win in a 4-1 final with Dimas Escazu on Sunday evening. An own goal in the 38’ from Yoanka Villanueva gave the hosts a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, in the 41’, Viviana Chinchilla amplified the advantage with the second goal for Las Leonas. Natalia Mills then got the third one for her team in the 45’ for a 3-0 halftime lead.

Alajuelense didn’t stop there, with their efforts paying off again in the 79’ when Mariela Campos scored the fourth one for her team, who now sit in the second position. Dimas Escazu fought until the last minute, getting their reward in the 88’, when Gloria Mendoza scored the only goal for the visitors on the evening.

NWSL

In the NWSL, current Shield Champions Portland Thorns showed they mean business by defeating Racing Louisville 2-0 on Sunday evening. In the first minutes of the game, Olympic Champion Christine Sinclair scored the first one for her team, shooting from just outside the area thanks to an assist from Sophia Smith.

Portland then closed the game in the first half, in the 45+4’, when Smith again found space and sent the ball to Morgan Weaver, who was ready in front of the goal to shoot. With this win, Portland remains unbeaten on the season.

Kansas City ended their three-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory over the Orlando Pride on Sunday afternoon. In only four minutes, Kansas City showed why they were runner-up last season, with the first goal coming in the 64’ after an Orlando defensive miscue and Brazil international Debinha firing into goal. They kept the momentum going and in the 68’, Hailie Mace sent the ball into a perfect space for Cece Kizer, who guided a shot into the back of the net.