NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup and what it means for Houston and the Dash
(image via Houston Dash)
When the NWSL released its blueprint for the 2024 season in December, many were surprised when the league was going to replace the Challenge Cup with a different tournament. On March 20th, the NWSL and Liga MX Femenil announced a new and groundbreaking tournament that will include all 14 NWSL teams and the top six teams from LIGA MX Femenil Clausura and Apertura of the 2023 season.
Starting on July 19 and running until August 4th, during the Summer Olympic Games, the teams will be separated into five groups of four with each club competing in three matches. The top four teams from the group stage will advance into the semifinal round. The championship match will be held on the weekend of October 25.
How will this tournament impact women's soccer?
The format is not the best, seemingly one of the teams that finish top of their group won't go through. Nevertheless, this is a great stage for women’s soccer. Unlike UEFA, CONCACAF doesn’t have a Champions League for women’s clubs up and running. It’s in the works and due to start in the 2024/2025 season, but it’s still a wait-and-see.
Meanwhile, the NWSL and LIGA MX Femenil have taken the opportunity to get a head start and create an international tournament that will elevate the players and most importantly, get many eyes tuning in. The USA and Mexico's rivalry has transcended over many years, mainly on the men's side. LIGA MX Femenil hasn’t been around for long, it only started seven years ago, but has attracted many stars like Jenni Hermoso (Spain), Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa), and Lizbeth Ovalle (Mexico).
There is a little rivalry blossoming between the leagues. This competition will give a small sample, since not all LIGA MX Femeil teams have been invited, but it will show how their top clubs can compete against the American teams. No doubt, fans of both leagues will want to watch.
How will this tournament impact Houston?
The Houston Dash are in Group C with fellow NWSL team Kansas City Current and LIGA MX Femenil clubs Tigres UANL and Pachuca. Houston has one away match with KC and all then will play their LIGA MX Femenil opponents at Shell Energy Stadium.
The game that all Dash fans will keep their eye on is the Dash vs Tigres match, for multiple reasons. First, Maria Sanchez came from Tigres before joining the Houston Dash. She played there for one year but was immensely loved by the club and the fans. Second, the player who replaced Maria Sanchez, Lizbeth Ovalle, had an incredible W Gold Cup and outshined any other player on the Mexico National team.
Lastly, this could go for all the Mexico teams, it’s their fan base. Houston is a hotbed for Mexican soccer and always attract big crowds when Mexican clubs or the national teams play here. Liga MX Femenil is known for selling out games both on the men's side and women's side. It will bring a huge crowd coming into these matches and no doubt, it will bring many eyes to their team, but most importantly, to the Dash as well. Hopefully, it will bring new fans to the Houston Dash. Fans from Tigres and Pachuca can have an NWSL team they support locally.
This is the start of a new era of women's soccer. We saw great results from the CONCACAF W Gold Cup and hopefully, this will bring a stunning result as well.
