Photo: Pachuca Femenil.
Jenni Hermoso was the biggest signing of the Liga MX Femenil offseason by a mile. The former Barcelona forward, who won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with the club in 2021, signed with Pachuca. That signing showed a growth in Liga MX Femenil’s competitiveness and attractiveness around the world.
Hermoso was introduced to fans at Pachuca’s men’s team during their home match against UNAM Pumas on Sunday, July 24. The women’s team was on the road this week, and fell to Santos Laguna, 3-2.
“I’ve only been here for 24 hours,” Hermoso said on Fox Gol México (Fox Sports). “They have been intense hours. Living here is something I couldn’t have imagined if it wasn’t for me. I’ve dreamed it many times. To be able to have a presentation like this, or to have people receive you with so much affection when you’ve barely given anything, right? It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done in football, and for me it’s a pleasure to be in this family because I believe it’s a real family.”
Hermoso’s debut is still up in the air, as she is recovering from a knee injury that saw her miss the 2022 EURO with Spain. Meanwhile, Pachuca will also enjoy the return of Charlyn Corral, their leading goal scorer last season in the Clausura. Pachuca made it to the Liga MX Femenil final in the spring, but lost to Chivas, repeating history from the very first Liga MX Femenil final.
Hermoso said that her decision to come to Pachuca was to experience playing in another league.
“I have lived many things in Europe in Spain with a team like Barcelona that because for me is the best team in the world. But hey, I think life is to assume power challenges and enjoy other experiences. Thanks to what I have trained, I have sacrificed, today I can be living in another country and enjoy another league… This challenge comes with a lot of responsibility.”
Corral, who formerly played in the Spanish league for Levante and Atlético Madrid Femenino, was a big factor in Hermoso’s signing with Pachuca, as well.
“We are lucky to play together and I hope we score many goals,” Hermoso said.
The Spanish international also stated that the decision to come to Pachuca was based on the professionalism of the club and facilities. Hermoso said that the vision of Pachuca is clear: to win championships and be regarded as one of the successful clubs, like Tigres or Monterrey.
“People are not aware of everything that Pachuca has… all of the facilities that I think are in very few places. I’m privileged to be able to be here today and the goal is clear. They have that thorn to make Pachuca a champion.”
While Hermoso’s debut will be on hold while she recovers from her injury, she knows that fans are eagerly awaiting her first match in purple.
“I hope that the knee goes well. I have not been able to train as much as I would have liked. The last few days have been very difficult with many changes, many moves, and I have not had time to recover. But here, I think I have some very good means to be able to recover as soon as possible and be with my colleagues soon.”
Week 3 Highlight: Tigres earns first win under Carmelina Moscato
Tigres got their first victory of the 2022 Apertura season under head coach Carmelina Moscato, taking down Querétaro, 4-0. The loss for Querétaro comes after a big Week 2 upset, with Gallos defeating CF Monterrey.
Tigres got their mojo back with the return of Stephany Mayor, Bianca Sierra and Lizbeth Ovalle from international duty, after failing to qualify for the World Cup with Mexico. Mayor scored twice, while Ovalle and American Mia Fishel added tallies of their own.
In first half stoppage time, Mayor collected the ball off a cross and shot low through a couple of Querétaro defenders and past a diving Marta Alemany. Fishel opened up the second half scoring off a breakaway, slipping between two defenders and going one-on-one with goalkeeper Alemany.
Ovalle notched her goal in the 63rd minute, firing from almost 30 yards out to send Alemany flying, with the ball in the back of her net. Mayor got the fourth and final tally in the 76th minute, scoring on a penalty conversion.
Other Apertura Week 3 Scores
- Atlas 2-2 Club América
- UNAM Pumas 1-2 Toluca
- Atlético San Luis 0-1 Chivas de Guadalajara
- Club León 0-2 Cruz Azul
- Necaxa 1-1 Mazatlán
- Santos Laguna 3-2 Pachuca
- FC Juárez 0-1 Club Tijuana
- CF Monterrey 3-1 Puebla
Liga MX Femenil Apertura Table | Week 3
NOTE: The top eight teams in Liga MX Femenil will qualify for the Liguilla, which are the playoffs.
| Team | W | D | L | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chivas de Guadalajara | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| Club America | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| Cruz Azul | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| UNAM Pumas | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| CF Monterrey | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 6 |
| Club Tijuana | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Toluca | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| Santos Laguna | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 6 |
| Atlas | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Tigers | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Club León | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Pachuca | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
| FC Juárez | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| Querétaro | 1 | 0 | 2 | 10 | -4 | 3 |
| Mazatlán | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
| Necaxa | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | -5 | 1 |
| Atlético San Luis | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 0 |
| Puebla | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | -6 | 0 |
Looking Ahead: Apertura Week 4
*All Times in Eastern Time.
Thursday, July 28: Cruz Azul vs. Atlas at 4:45 PM (ViX Streaming)
Thursday, July 28: Puebla vs. Atlético San Luis at 4:45 PM
Thursday, July 28: Pachuca vs. Club León at 6:05 PM
Thursday, July 28: Chivas de Guadalajara vs. Querétaro at 8 PM
Thursday, July 28: Club Tijuana vs. CF Monterrey at 10 PM
Thursday, July 28: FC Juárez vs. UNAM Pumas at 10:05 PM
Friday, July 29: Toluca vs. Santos Laguna at 6 PM (ViX Streaming)
Friday, July 29: Tigres vs. Necaxa at 8 PM (ViX Streaming)
Friday, July 29: Mazatlán vs. Club América at 8 PM
