Injuries Challenge America Femenil As Playoff Spot Secured

América Femenil is currently navigating through a challenging period in the Torneo Clausura 2025, marked by a series of significant injuries that threaten their squad depth and chances of success. Since the tournament's start, the team has seen a troubling number of players go down with injuries, raising concerns among supporters and staff alike.

One of the most serious injuries concerns Aylin Aviléz, who suffered a torn ACL, expected to keep her out of action for approximately seven to eight months. Following this, Priscila Da Silva was reported to have a partial ligament injury, leading to her absence for several months as well, according to reports published on March 18, 2025. Adding to the growing list of injuries, Sarah Luebbert will be out for a few weeks due to a muscular injury, while the goalkeeper Sandra Paños faces a syndesmosis injury impacting her ankle, putting her out of commission indefinitely. Kiana Palacios is also sidelined, having relapsed with her prior injuries and will miss several games, further exacerbating the team’s struggles.

In total, it has been reported that the team faces eight player injuries, including notable players such as Scarlett Camberos, Chidinma Okeke, and Karina Rodríguez, who have also been unavailable in prior matches. There is a shared concern regarding the physical training methods, as the coaching staff, led by Ángel Villacampa, grapples with maintaining squad fitness and reducing injury occurrences. This situation mirrors that of the men's team in the previous semester, which faced a staggering total of 18 player injuries, leaving many to wonder about underlying issues within the training regime.

The pressure mounts not only from the injuries but also from the recent performance decline. After a strong start that saw América Femenil secure the top spot in the league, they relinquished that position following a 1-1 draw against Bravas de Juárez in Jornada 13. This match turned out to be costly not just in points but in player availability. The fallout from the match resulted in the injury of Sandra Paños and Priscila Da Silva, both crucial players for the squad.

Coach Villacampa is now faced with the task of filling these gaps in the lineup, especially as the tournament heads into its denouement. One potential savior in this predicament is Daniela Espinosa, who recently rejoined the club after a notable stint with the Xolas de Tijuana from 2022 to 2024. Espinosa has already made a significant impact since her return, boasting a remarkable nine goals this season, including impressive performances such as two braces against León and Atlético San Luis, as well as a hat-trick against Mazatlán FC. With the mounting injuries, she is now expected to step up as a key player for the team in their upcoming games.

América Femenil's next challenge comes on March 22, 2025, when they face Tigres Femenil. This matchup is critical not only for points but also for the morale of a beleaguered team aiming to regain their competitiveness in the race for the playoffs. As the Liga MX Femenil congratulated the team for securing a spot in the Liguilla after Jornada 13, the focus has shifted to the impending challenge they must overcome with dwindling resources.

Despite the injuries, the official Liga MX Femenil account remarked positively on América Femenil's determination, stating, "América Femenil con boleto en mano. Después de terminar la Jornada 13, las Águilas clasifican a Liguilla y buscan seguir escribiendo historia.” This momentous news underscores that while the road ahead is fraught with challenges, the team has already achieved an essential goal this season: qualification for the playoffs.

Maintaining optimism is essential as the team recalibrates and prepares for the challenges ahead. Ángel Villacampa must carefully strategize how to deploy his remaining players in ways that maximize their potential while fostering resilience within the squad as they aim for success in the playoffs.