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With the start of the playoffs just around the corner, the Chapala women’s team faces the final stretch of the regular season confident that they will win the championship. After a dominant run in the first five matchdays, the team has generated high expectations among fans and the coaching staff, establishing itself as one of the teams to beat in the 2026 Jalisco Cup.
In an interview with Semanario Laguna, captain Nancy Hermosillo said, “We are very confident that the cup can be ours if we stay focused. Strong teams are coming, but we are ready.”
The team leader emphasized that recent rule changes, which require seven youth players to remain on the field at all times, have not been an obstacle but rather a benefit, bringing youth and dynamism to the group.
According to Hermosillo, the team’s identity lies in the synergy among the experienced players, the former professional reinforcements, and the young players’ attitude.
Midfielder Fernanda Ayala has been a key figure. Despite starting the tournament with physical discomfort, Ayala has established herself as a starter in defensive midfield and has met tactical expectations.
For the midfielder, these playoffs represent a personal redemption after being part of the first team for top-tier professional club Atlas five years ago—a dream she had to put on hold. She declared, “We still need to adapt a little more, but I say this cup is ours.” She is confident that this year the trophy will finally come to Chapala.
The team’s success is also attributed to the coaching staff led by former Charales player Ángel Ruiz. The players agree that the coach has refined the tactical system, prioritizing smooth ball movement and a consistent attacking approach. “My job has been to work with every line so they can develop fully, from defense to attack, without ever stopping the offensive push,” Ruiz told this publication.
Although the team acknowledges that the toughest challenges will come in the knockout stage, the locker room is ready to take on any opponent. The final path to the title will be mapped out next week, once the regular season concludes, when the official playoff draw for the women’s division takes place.
Translated and edited by Bruce Bernhart
