ACL Injuries Surge In Liga MX Femenil, Raising Safety Concerns

A surge in ACL injuries has sent shock waves through Liga MX Femenil, with reports showing a staggering 26 confirmed cases between January 2024 and March 2025. This alarming trend has left fans and players alike questioning the safety and support available in women's soccer.

The most recent incident occurred during the Clásico Nacional, a pivotal match in which midfielder Aylín Avilez suffered a left knee ligament injury just four minutes into the game. This injury adds her name to a growing list of athletes facing the harsh reality of torn ACLs in a sport that seems increasingly affected by this affliction. Club América's Alison González, Priscila da Silva, Mayra Pelayo from Tijuana, Akemi Yokoyama of Cruz Azul, and Silvana González from Atlético San Luis are just a few others who have fallen victim to this injury during the Clausura 2025.

The pattern of ACL injuries has raised significant concerns, particularly as several teams in the league report multiple cases. Observers note that some players, including Anacamila Hernández from Chivas, have suffered ACL injuries not once but twice — first in 2023 and again in 2024. The experience of these athletes sheds light on the challenges faced by female soccer players and prompts important questions about what can be done to mitigate these injuries.

Ex-professional soccer player Desirée Monsiváis, now an analyst for ESPN, provided insight into this worrying trend. "There are studies of many reasons why these types of injuries occur. One could be the excessive workload due to the league's scheduling," she stated in a video discussing various factors impacting player health. Monsiváis emphasized how women's soccer often schedules matches back-to-back, with minimal time for recovery. Players traveling by bus or catching early flights find themselves unable to sufficiently rest before their next game.

In a broader context, the physical demands of the sport have combined with less attention to pressing health needs, leading to what some have described as a 'pandemic' of knee injuries. In addition to scheduling conflicts, anatomical differences may also contribute to women's increased likelihood of these injuries. Research from the Instituto Cugat indicates that "women tend to have greater ligament laxity which can predispose to ACL injuries." This anatomical predisposition suggests that factors beyond sheer athleticism are at play in these injury patterns.

Other contributors mentioned by Monsiváis include poor nutrition and improper footwear. "The recent shift towards developing specialized footwear for women players has been slow, and many still utilize shoes not tailored to their anatomical needs," Monsiváis pointed out. She argues that improving footwear could significantly reduce the risk of injuries, aligning with trends in the design of equipment suited to women athletes.

The injury situation isn't isolated to Liga MX Femenil; leagues globally, such as the Women’s Super League in England, have reported similar spikes in ACL injuries between 2023 and 2024. This trend indicates a need for proactive attention to player health and safety, both in Mexico and abroad.

Among the teams most affected in the Liga MX Femenil, Santos leads the way with four injured players, while América, Cruz Azul, Tigres, and Puebla each report three. The prevalence of injuries on the field has sparked calls for change, as many believe that improving recovery protocols, nutrition programs, and footwear considerations can lead to healthier playing conditions for these athletes.

As discussions surrounding athlete safety continue, the focus is also on the necessary adjustments to training and match schedules to accommodate rest and recovery. The league's officials will need to consider the implications of heightened injury rates seriously and take steps to manage players' workloads more effectively.

The pooling of resources, including injury prevention specialists and a thorough review of training methods, are seen as essential next steps. Monsiváis concluded, "Here, what matters is the opportunity for growth: having specialists in load distribution, proper footwear, and doctors who can coordinate with physical trainers and focus on specific training regimens and sports psychology."00

It's a challenging road ahead, but the urgency to address these issues is apparent, not only for the health of individual players but for the future of women's soccer as a whole.