Liga MX Femenil viewing guide: 2023 Apertura, Week 17

The drama is set to be at its height for the final week of the regular season of Liga MX Femenil’s 2023 Apertura. Seven teams have clinched one of the eight spots left, however for nine teams there’s still plenty to play for.

América is the superlíder, and can remain so with a win over Rayadas. A draw or loss puts them at risk of being overtaken, and Rayadas are no pushovers. This should be a good match and one that we could potentially see in the Liguilla. Rayadas will be in fourth place no matter the outcome, but a win over América would be a huge momentum boost going into Eva Espejo’s final Liguilla as manager.

Tigres can overtake América with a win against Necaxa and an América loss or a draw and an América loss by six or more. It’s ok if Tigres fans are rooting for Rayadas on the low, just this once. We’ll understand. The thing for Tigres is for everyone to stay healthy and not to pick up a suspension going into the Liguilla.

Chivas are also still in the superlíder hunt, although they’d need to win big over Pachuca, have América lose big (there’s a 12 goal defecit El Rebaño Sagrado would need to overcome), and have Tigres lose or draw. Their match against Pachuca should be a banger, and it’ll be on television in both the US and México. As an added bonus, these teams will face one another if the standings stay where they are.

Tijuana will be in fifth place overall no matter what, and Puebla is not a very friendly place to play. That said, they’re a much better team and should get the victory. The Tigres caveat also applies here - everyone needs to leave healthy and eligible to play next week.

Toluca can leapfrog Pachuca if they can win away at San Luis and Pachuca lose or draw, if they draw San Luis and Pachuca draws or loses, or if they lose and Pachuca loses enough to overcome goal differential, which currently stands at +13 for Pachuca. This won’t happen, so a result against Atleti is a must.

Game of the Week

Juárez hosting Pumas without a doubt. The scenario is simple: Pumas wins and they’re in. Juárez wins or the match ends in a draw, they’re in. Both of these teams really deserve to make it, and it’ll be a real shame to see one of them not make it in.

After an offseason that saw Mila Martínez leave for Tigres and top players like Miah Zuazua and Jermaine Seoposenwe leave for other clubs, Juárez’ magical Bravalacticas season looked to be a fluke. But after a bit of a rocky start, Juárez has hit their stride and have recaptured some of that magic. Jasmine Casarez, Julitha Singano, and a few other players remain, and the addition of goalkeeper Renata Masciarelli, midfielder Yuki Watari, and forward Prisca Chilufya are a credit to what Sporting Director Balbina Treviño is building there.

Pumas meanwhile seems to have finally found their way after wandering the wilderness. Of course bringing in Desirée Monsiváis is the big story here, but for me it’s what she’s been able to do in freeing up Stephanie Ribeiro that has been key to Pumas’ success. No longer burdened by being the team’s sole goalscoring threat, Ribeiro is playing much freer soccer in partnership with Monsiváis. And while the defense has been a bit shaky over the past forever, Deneisha Blackwood has made an immediate impact on ensuring Melany Villeda isn’t a sitting duck.

Regardless of what happens, both teams should take to heart that they are on the right path with their projects. For a legacy grande like Pumas and (relatively) new kids like Juárez, their stories are inherently good for the game. The next chapters for both will be a fun read.

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Liga MX Femenil Week 17 (all records are in W-D-L format, all times as listed):

Friday, November 3:

Necaxa (2-2-12) vs. Tigres (13-2-1) - 5:00 PM - ViX+ (Mexico), ViX (United States)

León (7-1-8) vs. Atlas (5-2-9) - 5:00 PM - FOX Premium (Mexico)

Guadalajara (12-3-1) vs. Pachuca (8-3-5) - 7:00 PM - FOX Sports (Mexico), NBC Universo (United States)

Rayadas (10-5-1) vs. América (14-0-2) - 9:00 PM - ViX+ (Mexico), ViX (United States)

FC Juárez (7-5-4) vs. PUMAS (7-2-7) - 9:10 PM - FOX Sports (Mexico)

Saturday, November 4:

Cruz Azul (6-1-9) vs. Santos Laguna (0-5-11) - 12:00 PM - ViX+ (Mexico), ViX (United States)

Sunday, November 5:

Puebla (4-2-10) vs. Tijuana (9-4-3) - 12:00 PM - FOX Sports (Mexico)

Atlético de San Luis (3-3-10) vs. Toluca (8-3-5) - 5:00 PM - ESPN (Mexico)

Monday, November 6:

Querétaro (6-2-8) vs. Mazatlán FC (0-1-15) - 5:06 PM - FOX Sports (Mexico)