Club América of Liga MX Femenil is the Concacaf champion after beating the Washington Spirit, finalists in the last two National Women's Soccer League championships, 5-3 in a back-and-forth thriller Saturday night.
It is the first time a Mexican club has won a Concacaf championship trophy. The first trophy last year went to Gotham FC, who also won the 2025 NWSL championship. América defeated the reigning champion 4-1 on Wednesday night in a Concacaf semifinal. That victory came three days after América pulled off a comeback win in the Liga MX Clausura in front of a record crowd of 26,670.
Saturday night's final against the Spirit carried the pressure of an international championship and the ferocity of a Concacaf clash. Washington had a bright start and held the advantage in possession at 63 percent to 37 percent. América was very much the home side at the Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Mexico , and took control once it settled in.
América midfielder Aylín Aviléz broke the seal in the 22nd minute, continuing her form from the semifinals in which she also found the back of the net. It was one of several times Saturday night in which América successfully exploited Washington's flanks; this time it was Scarlett Camberos who drove the ball past center back Esme Morgan to find the 22-year-old Aviléz's outstretched foot with a cross.
Brazilian forward Geyse , who, like Camberos, joined Liga MX from the NWSL, doubled América's lead five minutes later. She followed the same path down the Spirit's right side that led to the first goal but finished it herself at the end of a determined dribble through the penalty box.
The Spirit gathered themselves enough to stay in the game shortly after that, courtesy of an audacious shot by Italian striker Sofia Cantore taken more than 30 yards from goal. The ball was low and so caught América goalkeeper Itzel Velasco off guard that it took a low bounce before hitting the net.
Ivorian winger Rosemonde Kouassi of the Spirit, whose dynamic runs have contributed to their comfortable position above the NWSL playoff line, came alive during the second half. She scored 35 seconds into it and then 12 minutes later for a brace that gave the Spirit the lead. In both instances, Kouassi maneuvered past her defenders and fired off lofty, well-placed shots that arced over Velasco toward the far post.
Geyse's second goal brought América back level with the Spirit and was a pure expression of tenacity. América's unified press on a possession-oriented Spirit had proven successful all night, but when Geyse leapt onto a pass attempt by goalkeeper Sandy MacIver on the end line in the 61st minute, the ball ricocheted off her foot and punched the back of the net.
América's win must be partly attributed to manager Ángel Villacampa's rotational decisions. He subbed off Aviléz in the 60th minute for Spanish midfielder Irene Guerrero . By the 79th, Guerrero was involved in a counterattack in which she combined with Camberos before receiving the ball in the center of the penalty box and coolly finishing. Camberos, who captains the side, topped off América's scoring in the sixth minute of stoppage time, this time combining with Geyse on a similar counterattack.
América was established in 2016 and finished fourth at the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup. Coincidentally, that was Gotham's result this year after the reigning NWSL champions lost to Pachuca, also of Liga MX Femenil, in the third-place match preceding the final.
The Clausura winners have increased their presence in international tournaments. Last December, they competed in the second edition of the World Sevens Football seven-aside tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
By winning the Concacaf W Champions Cup, América has qualified for the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, set to begin play in 2028. There, it will compete against fellow confederation champions, including Barcelona , which won its fourth Champions League title earlier Saturday .
This article originally appeared in The Athletic .
Washington Spirit, NWSL, Women's Soccer
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