Chivas Femenil has gotten off to a flying start in the 2026 Apertura, driven by several standout individual performances that, in turn, come together in a clear display of collective play. The clearest reflection of that is their 9 points, 10 goals scored, and perfect run, which currently have them sitting in third place in the overall standings.
The conversation could very well end there, but if there’s one thing Guadalajara has made clear over the last few tournaments under Antonio Contreras, it’s that they have a secret weapon that has not only paid off in the short term, but has also provided important tools in the medium term: squad management.
There are several examples to support our argument, but let’s start with the most recent one. Joseline Montoya began her third semester in this second stint as a rojiblanca; let’s remember that ‘Flash’ returned to the fold after a spell with Tigres, where she even played at right back. After finding her rhythm and adapting to the Rebaño’s style of play, she is now the team’s top scorer in the tournament with 4 goals, doubling in 3 matches the total she had scored over the previous two semesters combined.
Another case is that of Samantha López, who joined Chivas Femenil in AP25 and was only able to play one match in her first semester. However, that period served as a foundation for her to establish herself, starting in CL26, as the team’s first-choice center back and as one of the defenders with the best ball distribution in Liga Femenil.
We can also talk about the manager’s and his coaching staff’s ability to make changes at exactly the right moment. A clear example is this tournament’s 3-1 win over Querétaro, which became a tough match for the Rebaño, but the introduction of Natalia Mauleón and Mayra Pelayo tipped the balance in our favor within minutes.
We can even go back to the previous semester, specifically to two matches that, without fear of being wrong, remain etched in the memory of the Chivahermanos. In the Clásico Tapatío and the Clásico de México, Guadalajara was on the ropes with a 0-2 scoreline in both matches. However, the 4-2 and 3-2 comebacks, respectively, are fully explained by the players who came on from the bench.
So, backed by a clear style of play, players in top form, and a squad that is always ready when called upon, Chivas Femenil has a very high ceiling in this AP26.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.