On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Pumas de la UNAM faced another tough day in the Liga MX Apertura 2025 as their young goalkeeper Rodrigo Parra once again found himself under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The 17-year-old, who made history as the youngest goalkeeper to debut for the club, struggled during the home match against Tuzos de Pachuca at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, contributing to a 3-2 loss that left fans and analysts debating his future.
Rodrigo Parra’s journey to the first team has been a rapid ascent. Starting his youth career at Cruz Azul in the Sub14 category during the Apertura 2021, he progressed through the Sub16 level until 2014. After a scouting opportunity, he joined UNAM’s ranks, impressing coaches with his physical attributes and goalkeeping skills as he advanced through the Sub17, Sub19, and Sub23 teams. Despite his promising potential, Parra’s transition to the Liga MX first division has been anything but smooth.
His debut in the top flight came during the opening match of the Apertura 2025 against Santos Laguna, where Pumas suffered a 3-0 defeat. Parra’s performance was marred by critical mistakes, including a costly hesitation on a back pass from Rubén Duarte that led to a goal. The young goalkeeper ended that match in tears, visibly overwhelmed but supported by his teammates and the club’s coaching staff led by Efraín Juárez.
Despite the shaky start, Parra was again entrusted as the starting goalkeeper for the second match of the season on July 20, 2025, this time at home against Pachuca. This decision came after the sudden departure of Alex Padilla to Athletic Club and an injury to Pablo Lara, pushing Parra into the spotlight once more.
Initially, Pumas took the lead twice in the match, with goals from Pablo Bennevendo in the 6th minute and Jorge Ruvalcaba in the 27th. However, Parra’s errors quickly shifted the momentum. At the 17th minute, while Pumas was leading 1-0, Parra received a ball in his area but, under pressure from Alan Bautista, he hesitated and lost possession. Bautista capitalized immediately, scoring the equalizer for Pachuca. Fans who had initially cheered Parra’s inclusion began to grow restless, their support wavering as the goalkeeper’s confidence seemed to falter.
Later in the first half, Parra’s troubles continued. At the 32nd minute, he misjudged a high ball clearance, allowing Jhonder Cádiz to score Pachuca’s second goal with a simple finish into an unguarded net. This error effectively erased Pumas’ advantage and intensified the pressure on the young goalkeeper. The match was tied 2-2 at halftime, a scoreline that reflected both teams’ resilience but also highlighted Pumas’ defensive frailties.
During the halftime break, a touching moment unfolded when Carlos Moreno, Pachuca’s goalkeeper, approached Parra and offered words of encouragement, a gesture that was widely praised on social media. Despite this show of sportsmanship, the second half saw Pachuca take control. Gaston Togni scored a spectacular long-range goal from just outside the penalty arc, sealing a 3-2 lead for the visitors. Parra was not at fault for this goal, but the damage from his earlier mistakes had already set the tone for the match.
The Pumas faithful, initially welcoming Parra with chants of “¡portero, portero!” and warm applause as he took to the field, found themselves divided by the end of the game. While some continued to support the young goalkeeper, many expressed frustration, shouting “¡gol!” sarcastically when defenders passed back to him, a sign of their growing impatience and concern.
The ongoing debate around Parra’s performances spilled over into the media and football circles. Ricardo 'Tuca' Ferreti, a respected analyst for ESPN and former coach, controversially labeled Parra a “crybaby,” a comment that sparked a response from Miguel Mejía Barón, Pumas’ sporting director. Mejía Barón defended the young player, emphasizing the emotional challenges faced by athletes: “Tears are a form of expression, and everyone uses them when they feel it’s necessary. The Tuca, my great friend, has his way of managing, but I believe that crying is natural and even more so when you’re young and under pressure.”
Despite the harsh scrutiny, coach Efraín Juárez and his staff continue to back Parra, recognizing his potential and the difficult circumstances thrust upon him. The club is still negotiating the possible signing of veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas, a move that could ease the pressure on the young keeper if finalized. For now, Parra remains the starting goalkeeper as Pumas seek to stabilize their defense and climb the league standings.
As of this match, Pumas have suffered two consecutive defeats in the Apertura 2025, while Tuzos de Pachuca maintain a perfect record with six points. The pressure is mounting on Pumas to find consistency, particularly in goal, where Parra’s development will be crucial for their campaign.
In the high-stakes world of Liga MX, where every mistake is magnified and every performance scrutinized, Rodrigo Parra’s story is still being written. At just 17, he faces challenges that many seasoned players might struggle with, and while the road ahead is uncertain, the support from parts of the Pumas fanbase and his coaching staff suggests that this young goalkeeper’s journey is far from over.
The match against Pachuca was a vivid illustration of both promise and pitfalls—Pumas showed attacking spark but defensive lapses, especially in goal, cost them dearly. As the Apertura 2025 unfolds, all eyes will be on Parra and Pumas to see if they can turn these early setbacks into lessons for growth and resilience.
