Liga MX Femenil viewing guide: 2023 Clausura, Week 11

It’s that time again.

Twice a year (at least!), we get to debate which is the true Clásico Nacional of Liga MX Femenil: América vs. Chivas or Rayadas vs. Tigres. And the debate really boils down to two points that the different camps have. Those who say it’s América vs. Chivas point to the historic rivalry on the men’s side as to why it should be considered the Clásico Nacional. And beyond the men’s sides being the two teams with the most stars on their jerseys, the rivalry between México City and Guadalajara adds fuel to the fire.

On the other hand, Rayadas and Tigres have won seven of the ten Liga MX Femenil championships awarded while Chivas and América won the other three. They also almost always have the most players called to the national team, and have set global attendance records for professional women’s soccer attendance. This is truly one of the best rivalries in women’s soccer in the world.

So which one is it? Maybe it’s splitting hairs, but for me the Clásico Nacional is América vs. Chivas while the Clásico Nacional Femenil is Rayadas vs. Tigres. You can’t erase the historical context or cultural significance of the former, nor can you overlook what the latter means to women’s soccer in México and around the world. Both are rivalries worthy of respect and attention.

Game of the Week

Going with one of the two clásicos feels like cheating, and I already kinda weaseled my way out of backing one to be the big one. I’ll start by saying to watch both of these since they’re available legally in both the United States and México.

That said, the other Game of the Week candidate for me is Santos vs. Atlas. Pachuca vs. Tijuana looks really good too but it’s only legally available in México. Santos really needs a win to keep their faint Liguilla hopes alive. This season they’ve got Alexia Villanueva and Alexxandra Ramírez all season, with both missing significant portions of last season with the México U20s. They’re also getting “La Capi” Cinthya Peraza back. Peraza is a force for Santos. The captain is the team’s all-time leading goalscorer, all-time leading assist provider, and the only player to receive a México National Team call up from Santos. She’s been out for a few weeks injured but made her return last week.

Atlas on the other hand has a huge target on their backs. They’re in the eighth and last Liguilla spot, but there are eight teams below them within five points. They haven’t won in their last three games, and need as many points from teams below them as possible since they have games remaining against Xolos Femenil, Pachuca, and Rayadas. The pressure has to be on Fabiola Vargas to make the Liguilla in her second season in charge at Atlas, and it’s only going to ratchet up if the team can’t deliver.

Liga MX Femenil Week 11 (all records are in W-D-L format, all times as listed):

Friday, March 24:

América (7-2-1) vs. Guadalajara (8-2-0) - 7:00 PM - ViX+ MX (Mexico), ViX (United States)

Gallos Blancos de Querétaro (2-4-4) vs. UNAM Pumas (2-4-4) - 9:05 PM - FOX Sports (Mexico)

Saturday, March 25:

Cruz Azul (2-5-3) vs. FC Juárez (6-1-3) - 12:00 PM - ViXZonaMX (Mexico), ViX (United States)

Pachuca (7-0-3) vs. Club Tijuana (5-3-2) - 5:00 PM - FOX Sports (Mexico)

Rayadas de Monterrey (9-1-0) vs. Tigres UANL (7-0-3) - 9:00 PM - FOX Sports (Mexico), FOX Deportes (United States), FOX Sports App (United States)

Sunday, March 26:

Toluca (2-3-5) vs. Mazatlán FC (1-1-8) - 12:00 PM - ViXZonaMX (Mexico), ViX (United States)

Club Atlético de San Luis (3-2-5) vs. Necaxa (1-0-9) - 5:00 PM - ESPN (Mexico)

Santos Laguna (2-3-5) vs. Atlas (4-1-5) - 5:00 PM - FOX Sports (Mexico), FOX Deportes (United States), FOX Sports App (United States)

Monday, March 27:

León (2-2-6) vs. Puebla F.C. (2-2-6) - 7:05 PM - FOX Sports (Mexico)

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