While some of the Mexicanas Abroad were in Connecticut on national team duty, there were a couple who played for their clubs this past week. In addition to the plays on the field, there were things happening off the field that will have ramifications for some players going forward.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League draw was held, and Daniella Diaz and Brøndby IF will play Sweden’s Kristianstad on August 18th, with the winner facing the winner of Bordeaux (France) vs. Slovácko (Czech Republic). Anika Rodríguez and PSV will face off against Lokomotiv Moscow (Russia) also on August 18th, with the winner facing the winner of Arsenal (England) vs. Okzhetpes (Kazakhstan). The winners of these stages will advance to the Group Stage, the draw for which will be held on September 13th and matches starting on October 5th and 6th.
In non-UEFA Women’s Champions League news, Pamela Tajonar has left Logroño, who were relegated from the Liga Iberdrola. She was announced by Villarreal, who have just won promotion thanks in part to Rubí Soto, who transferred from Villarreal to Chivas this summer.
Verónica Jiménez will join fellow Mexicana Abroad Perla Morones at CSD Suchitepéquez in Guatemala. Guatemala’s Liga Nacional de Fútbol Femenino is divided into two groups, with Suchitepéquez is in Group A for the upcoming tournament. Suchitepéquez made it to the Group A final last tournament but was disqualified for fielding a player who the Guatemalan Federation found had a falsified International Transfer Certificate. The player was suspended for six months, the Suchitepéquez Femenino club president was suspended for two years, and the club was fined for its actions.
Damallsvenskan (Sweden)
Bri Campos played all 90 minutes as Vittsjö beat Hammarby 1-0 in dramatic fashion back on Saturday, July 3rd. Brazilian Fernanda hit this world-class free kick in stoppage to give Vittsjö three critical points.
Den satt fint 🙏🏼
📸 Sportbladet pic.twitter.com/9ss0Mhso8R
— Vittsjö GIK (@vittsjogikofcl) July 3, 2021
Campos then played 76 minutes (and Fernanda got all 90) as Vittsjö drew Kristianstad 0-0 on Wednesday, July 7th. Vittsjö sit in seventh place with 16 points, one behind Linköping and four behind third place Kristianstad and a berth in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2022-23. The Damallsvenskan is on break, with Vittsjö’s next match on Tuesday, August 20 when they are away to Växjö.
National Women’s Soccer League (United States)
Katie Johnson was a stoppage time sub as the Chicago Red Stars beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Friday, July 2nd. Washington’s Karina Rodríguez was with the Mexican National Team. The Spirit are currently in sixth place with 12 points, tied with Gotham FC. They’ll host the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, July 10th. Chicago is in seventh place with 11 points, and they’ll host the Houston Dash on Sunday, July 11th.
OL Reign lost to the Houston Dash 2-0 on July 2nd. Jimena López was also with the Mexican National Team and was unavailable. The Reign have lost five of their eight games this season and dismissed head coach Farid Bensiti prior to the match against the Dash. The Reign are in ninth place with seven points, four over last place Kansas City and nine behind the first place North Carolina Courage. They’ll host Kansas City on Sunday, July 11th.
Sabrina Flores was not on the gameday roster as Gotham FC drew Kansas City 1-1 on July 3rd. Gotham is in fifth place with 12 points, one behind fourth place Houston. They’ll travel to Portland to face the Thorns on Sunday, July 11th.