In the Mexican city of Monterrey that lives and breathes fútbol, a total of 40,039 fans pack the Estadio Universitario, commonly known as El Volcan (“The Volcano”), for a women’s club soccer playoff match on Nov. 20.
With the backdrop of erupting cheers in the sold-out venue, Tigres are hosting crosstown rivals Monterrey — colloquially known as Rayadas — in the second leg of a highly anticipated Liga MX Femenil semifinal series. Held in front of a boisterous and massive crowd that most in women’s global soccer only dream of, the derby played out in tense fashion between rivals that are aiming for a place in the upcoming 2023 Apertura final.
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Amid the noise and drama of the match that eventually finishes 1-0 in Tigres’ favor are two U.S.-born players and former NCAA athletes, Monterrey’s Carlee Giammona and Tigres’ Maricarmen Reyes, who made the unique choice this year to start their professional careers south of the border.
Taking part in college soccer from 2019-2022 at the University of Alabama and Pepperdine University, Giammona, a former U.S. youth national team member, began to reconsider her plans after attempting to cement a spot domestically in the NWSL with the Chicago Red Stars.
“One thing that…
