Tigres UANL (women)

Tigres UANL Femenil
Full nameClub de Fútbol Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León Femenil
NicknamesLas Amazonas (The Amazons)
La U de Nuevo León (The U of Nuevo León)
Las Auriazules (The Golden-blue ones) [1]
FoundedDecember 5, 2016 (2016-12-05)
GroundEstadio Universitario
San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León
Capacity41,886
Owner(s)UANL
CEMEX (through Sinergia Deportiva)
ManagerPedro Martínez Losa
LeagueLiga Femenil
Clausura 2026Regular phase: 3rd
Final phase: Quarter-finals

Tigres UANL Femenil, also known simply as Tigres Femenil or Tigres, is a Mexican professional women's football club based in San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León that competes in the Liga Femenil. The club has been the women's section of Tigres UANL since 2016.[2] The team plays its home matches at the Estadio Universitario.

Commonly known as Las Amazonas (The Amazons), Tigres Femenil is one of only five clubs that have won the Liga Femenil title, and the most successful one with a record seven league titles, two more than their city rivals Monterrey.[3]

History

Founding and first league tournament

Club de Fútbol Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León Femenil was founded on December 5, 2016, the same day that the Liga MX Femenil was announced.[4] In preparation for the first season of the Liga MX Femenil in the second half of 2017, the team participated in a preparation tournament, the 2017 Copa MX Femenil under the management of Miguel Razo.[5][6] On July 13, 2017, previous to the start of the league, former Tigres player and club legend, Osvaldo Batocletti, was appointed as manager of the team with the previous manager Miguel Razo becoming his assistant.[5] Tigres Femenil's first league match in history was a 0–0 draw against Querétaro on July 29, 2017.[7][8]

In its first Liga MX Femenil tournament (Apertura 2017), Tigres ended the regular phase of the tournament in 2nd with 34 points, but they would eventually be eliminated in the semifinals of the play-offs by Pachuca.[7]

First title and continuous success

Tigres Femenil obtained its first league title by winning the Torneo Clausura 2018. For this tournament, Tigres ended the regular phase of the tournament in 3rd place with 31 points. In the semifinals of the playoffs, Tigres defeated América with an aggregate scoreline of 5–1 to advance to the final against their crosstown rivals Monterrey which would be the first of many Clásico Regiomontano finals in the Liga MX Femenil. Tigres would end up defeating Monterrey in the final on penalties (2–4) after a 4–4 draw on aggregate.[7] The second leg of this final at the Estadio BBVA was at the time the highest attended club match in women's football history.[9]

On May 7, 2018, just a few days after the Clausura 2018 final, Osvaldo Batocletti decided to step down from the position of manager in order to receive treatment for a Cancer.[10][11] Ramón Villa Zevallos was appointed by the club to take over the position of manager with Batocletti becoming his assistant.[12]

Under Villa Zevallos' management, the team once again reached the league final in the Apertura 2018 tournament after finishing in 1st place in the regular phase with 40 points. In the playoffs Tigres eliminated Atlas in the quarter-finals (2–1), and Guadalajara (5–3) the semifinals. In the final, Tigres was defeated by América on penalties (1–3) after a 3–3 draw on aggregate.

In the Clausura 2019, Tigres ended the regular phase of the tournament in 3rd place with 36 points. In the playoffs, Tigres was once again able to reach the final. In the final Tigres defeated Monterrey once again with an aggregate scoreline of 3–2 to crown themselves league champions for the second time.

Ramón Villa Zevallos left his position of manager on May 30, 2019, just after one season in order to take the position of manager of C.D. Guadalajara.[13] The club announced former Mexico women's national football team manager, Roberto Medina, as the new manager of the team on May 31, 2019.[14]

With Medina at the helm, the team once again reach the league final in the Apertura 2019 after ending the regular phase of the tournament in 2nd place with 43 points. In the final, Tigres once again faced Monterrey on the third Clásico Regiomontano femenil final. Unlike in the previous two finals, Monterrey was able to win this final after defeating Tigres 2–1 on aggregate.[15]

On October 5, 2019, Tigres hosted the first ever international friendly between clubs from the Liga MX Femenil and the NWSL when it played against Houston Dash in the Estadio Universitario. Tigres won that match 2–1.[16]

Although the Clausura 2020 tournament was canceled by the league due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tigres Femenil's successful run continued in the Guard1anes 2020 and Guard1anes 2021 tournaments in which Tigres was able to win both tournaments back to back after defeating Monterrey and Guadalajara, respectively. By doing this, Tigres Femenil became the first team in the league to be able to win back-to back league titles. By winning the titles of the Guard1anes 2020 and Guard1anes 2021 tournaments, Tigres also automatically won the first edition of the Campeón de Campeonas of the Liga MX Femenil.[17][18]

In the Apertura 2021, Tigres once again reach the league final for the seventh consecutive time. In the final, Tigres was defeated for the second time by Monterrey by losing (1–3) on penalties after 2–2 draw on aggregate.[19]

In the Clausura 2022, Tigres was eliminated in the semi-finals of the playoffs by Guadalajara, ending a run of seven consecutive league finals.[20]

A few weeks following Tigres elimination in the playoffs of the Clausura 2022, the club decided to sack manager Roberto Medina on June 2, 2022, after more than three years at the role. During Medina's tenure the team obtained 3 titles and reach 4 league finals.[21] Former Canadian international player Carmelina Moscato was appointed as manager of the team on June 9, 2022.[22] After winning the 2022–23 Apertura with Tigres and finishing in the semi-finals of the Clausura Liguilla, Moscato resigned from Tigres.[23]

Milagros Martínez succeeded Moscato as manager, and she led Tigres to the Apertura 2023 title and the 2024 Campeón de Campeonas. However, in the Apertura 2024 final against Monterrey, Tigres collapsed in the 2nd leg after being up 3-0 on aggregate going in to the 2nd half of the game, losing the final on penalties. Martínez was ultimately fired following this result.

Pedro Martínez Losa was named as new manager December 20, 2024. In his first season, Tigres failed to make it to the semifinals of the Clausura 2025, but did advance to the final of the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup. In the final, Tigres fell short to NWSL side Gotham FC despite playing the match at home in Monterrey, Nuevo León.

Following a busy transfer window that included the arrivals of Diana Ordoñez and María Sánchez (2nd stint), as well as the world-record transfer of star forward Lizbeth Ovalle to NWSL's Orlando Pride for over MXN$1 million, Tigres won the Apertura 2025 title after defeating América in the final 4-3 on aggregate, despite going down 3 goals in the first half of the first leg.

Grounds

Estadio Universitario during the Apertura 2022 semi-final between Tigres and Monterrey Femenil
Estadio Universitario during the Apertura 2022 semi-final between Tigres Femenil and Monterrey.

The Estadio Universitario ("University Stadium") is the official home ground of Tigres Femenil.[24] This 42,000-seat stadium built in 1967 is colloquially known as El Volcán ("The Volcano"). The stadium is located at the campus of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León in the city of San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León.[25][26]

Tigres Femenil play its first match in history at the Universitario on August 5, 2017, in a game against Guadalajara for match day 2 of the Apertura 2017. The match ended in a 2–0 victory for Tigres Femenil with goals from Blanca Solís and Carolina Jaramillo.[27]

Personnel

Club administration

Position Staff
Chairman Mexico Carlos Emilio González
President of the Sinergia Deportiva Liaison

Sporting Committee (Cemex-UANL management joint venture)

Mexico Mauricio Doehner
Sporting Director Colombia Natalia Gaitán

Source: Club Tigres

Coaching staff

Position Staff
ManagerSpain Pedro Martínez Losa
Assistant managersSpain Javier Vázquez
Mexico José Curiel
Mexico Adolfo Cadena
Fitness coachSpain Mireia Encina
Team doctorMexico Rocío Zapata
PhysiotherapistMexico Diana González

Source: Liga MX Femenil

Players

Current squad

As of 31 July 2026[2]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  MEX Cecilia Santiago
2 DF  MEX Maria Inés González
3 DF  MEX Mia Villalpando
4 DF  MEX Greta Espinoza
5 MF  GHA Grace Asantewaa
6 DF  MEX Jimena López
7 MF  MEX María Sánchez
8 MF  MEX Alexia Delgado
9 MF  MEX Stephany Mayor
11 FW  BRA Jheniffer
12 FW  MEX Diana Ordóñez
13 MF  MEX Talia Coury
14 FW  MEX Myra Delgadillo
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 FW  RSA Thembi Kgatlana
17 DF  USA Sabrina Enciso
19 FW  MEX Tatiana Flores
20 DF  BRA Mariza
21 MF  COL Ilana Izquierdo
22 DF  MEX Anika Rodríguez
23 GK  MEX Itzel González
24 MF  MEX Maricarmen Reyes
30 FW  MEX Alison González
32 DF  MEX Natalia Muñoz
33 GK  MEX Hannia de Ávila
34 FW  MEX Deiry Ramírez
35 MF  MEX Angélica Antonio

Out on loan

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  MEX Cristina Ferral (at Guadalajara)

Managerial history

Manager Years
Mexico Miguel Razo 2017
Argentina Osvaldo Batocletti2017–2018
Mexico Ramón Villa Zevallos2018–2019
Mexico Roberto Medina2019–2022
Canada Carmelina Moscato2022–2023
Spain Mila Martínez 2023–2024
Spain Pedro Martínez Losa 2025–

Seasons

Season Tournament League record Playoffs record Top goalscorer
P W D L GF GA GD Pts Rank P W D L GF GA GD Result Player Goals
2017–18 Apertura 2017 141112517+44342nd 210134−1SF Mexico Carolina Jaramillo9
Clausura 2018 1410133816+22313rd 412186+2W Mexico Belén Cruz9
2018–19 Apertura 2018 1612405119+32401st 6330107+3RU Mexico Katty Martínez13
Clausura 2019 1611323612+24363rd 6510124+8W Mexico Katty Martínez11
2019–20 Apertura 2019 1813414114+27432nd 622295+4RU Mexico Katty Martínez13
Clausura 2020 8710225+17221st[a] Tournament canceled Mexico Stephany Mayor6
2020–21 Guardianes 2020 1715115011+39461st 6501113+8W Mexico Katty Martínez18
Guardianes 2021 1712413912+27401st 6510197+12W Mexico Stephany Mayor10
2021–22 Apertura 2021 171520527+45471st 6321154+11RU Mexico Stephany Mayor13
Clausura 2022 1711604311+32393rd 4301113+8SF Mexico Stephany Mayor11
2022–23 Apertura 2022 1712234813+35383rd 6510154+11W United States Mia Fishel17
Clausura 2023 1712234813+35382nd 420272+5SF United States Mia Fishel13

Records

Honours

National

International

Notes

  1. ↑ On 22 May 2020, the Clausura tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; in that moment UANL was ranked first.[28]
  2. ↑ includes Liga MX Femenil regular season and playoffs.
  3. ↑ includes Liga MX Femenil regular season and playoffs.

References

  1. ↑ MX, LIGA MX / ASCENSO. "LIGA MX Femenil – Página Oficial de la Liga del Fútbol Profesional en México .: Bienvenido". www.ligafemenil.mx.
  2. 1 2 MX, LIGA MX / ASCENSO. "LIGA MX Femenil – Página Oficial de la Liga del Fútbol Profesional en México .: Bienvenido". www.ligafemenil.mx.
  3. ↑ Schöggl, Hans (2022-02-11). "Mexico – List of Women Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  4. ↑ "México tendrá Liga MX femenil a partir de 2017". El Financiero (in Spanish). 6 December 2016. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  5. 1 2 Alonso, Javier (2017-07-13). "Histórico de Tigres dirigirá al equipo femenil". ESPNdeportes.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  6. ↑ Marshall, Tom (2017-05-03). "Women's Copa MX kicks off in Toluca". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  7. 1 2 3 Lugo, Erik Francisco (2019-01-10). "Mexico (Women) 2017/18". RSSSF. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  8. ↑ Madrigal, Luis. "Chispazo de historia". www.oncediario.com (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  9. ↑ "Fútbol Femenil: Las cinco cosas que dejó el Clausura 2018 de la Liga MX Femenil". MARCA Claro México (in Mexican Spanish). 2018-05-07. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  10. ↑ "Batocletti se hará a un lado de Tigres femenil para luchar contra el cáncer". ESPNdeportes.com (in Spanish). 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  11. ↑ Lara, Juan (5 July 2018). "Osvaldo Batocletti podrían dejar de dirigir a Tigres Femenil luego de obtener el campeonato de la Liga MX Femenil ante Monterrey". Grupo Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  12. ↑ OnceDiario. "Por el primer zarpazo". www.oncediario.com (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  13. ↑ "Ramón Villa Zevallos nuevo DT de Chivas Femenil". El Universal (in Spanish). 2019-05-31. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  14. ↑ Univision (31 May 2019). "Tigres Femenil anuncia nuevo técnico con la mente puesta en el bicampeonato". Univision (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  15. ↑ Rupinski, Eugene (2019-12-07). "2019 Liga MX Femenil Final match recap: Monterrey 1, Tigres UANL 0 (2–1 aggregate)". FMF State Of Mind. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  16. ↑ Lloyd-Hughes, Theo (August 26, 2021). "Houston Dash to host Tigres Femenil at BBVA Stadium". TheStriker.com. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  17. ↑ Redacción (June 2021). "Tigres Femenil histórico consuma el bicampeonato". El Economista. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  18. ↑ "Todas las campeonas de la Liga MX Femenil". MARCA (in Mexican Spanish). 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  19. ↑ Martínez, Edgar (2021-12-20). "Monterrey derrotó a Tigres y se proclamó Campeón de Liga MX Femenil". Diario AS (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  20. ↑ "Se apaga Tigres Femenil y Chivas las elimina". laprensa.mx. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  21. ↑ "Roberto Medina deja de ser el entrenador de Tigres Femenil". www.proceso.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  22. ↑ "Canada's Carmelina Moscato joins Mexico's Tigres as technical director". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  23. ↑ Univision. "Carmelina Moscato renuncia como directora técnica de Tigres Femenil". TUDN (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  24. ↑ "UANL". Liga MX Femenil. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  25. ↑ "History". Club Tigres. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  26. ↑ "Tigres Men's Squad and Tigres Femenil Make history at the Univesitario". Club Tigres. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  27. ↑ Lopez, Hector (August 5, 2017). "Zarpazos en el Universitario". Liga MX Femenil. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  28. ↑ Marshall, Tom (22 May 2020). "Liga MX cancels 2020 Clausura season due to coronavirus". ESPN.com. Retrieved 10 August 2020.