March 20, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release
NEW YORK – The National Women’s Soccer League and LIGA MX Femenil today announced a historic new partnership connecting two of the world’s top women’s soccer leagues. As part of the groundbreaking collaboration, the two leagues will compete in the first-ever NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup. The tournament will feature all 14 NWSL clubs and the six teams with the most points achieved in LIGA MX Femenil Clausura and Apertura during 2023, including Tigres UANL, Club América, Chivas de Guadalajara, Rayadas de Monterrey, Pachuca and Tijuana.
Kicking off on July 19, the 33-match tournament will consist of 30 group stage contests, followed by a four-team semifinal round slated for the week of August 4. The championship match will take place the weekend of October 25-27.
NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup will feature five groups, including four groups of three NWSL clubs and one LIGA MX Femenil club, and one group with two clubs from each league. Each participating club will compete in a minimum of three matches.
NJ/NY Gotham FC will feature in Group D alongside Chivas de Guadalajara of LIGA MX Femenil, and the club will match up against two NWSL opponents – the Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars. For Gotham FC, the group stage begins on the road against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, July 20, before the NJ/NY club faces the Washington Spirit on Sunday, July 28. Gotham FC returns home on Aug. 2 for a Friday night thriller against Chivas de Guadalajara. Additional match and ticket information will be announced in the near future.
“Today’s announcement marks a historic milestone for women’s soccer in North America and another significant step in the continued elevation of our global game,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “We’re excited to partner with LIGA MX Femenil to create additional competitive opportunities for our athletes, unlock new rivalries, tap into our collective fanbases and continue our shared mission of raising the value, visibility and global standard of our sport.”
“The alliance we are announcing today is a great achievement for women’s football in our region and around the world – two great women’s professional football leagues coming together to advance the sport in our area, expand and grow the industry, build a new sporting identity and rivalry, strengthen partnerships beyond the pitch, inspire more people to join the movement, build community…