Pumas aim to take the lead from América Femenil: “We will defend our home”

Pumas wants to turn a familiar home ground into the setting for a historic result. On Friday at Olímpico Universitario, the university side will face América in another Capital Derby, seeking its first home victory over its fiercest rival.

The numbers favor América heavily. Since the women’s league began in 2017, the teams have met 20 times, with América winning 11, Pumas taking two victories and the other seven matches ending in draws. América also arrives as the clear favorite, leading Group B with 15 points after winning all five of its matches.

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We will defend our home with the desire to give our all. They are the leaders, and we want to compete with them. Taking the lead from them is something we are seeking. We will fight them on equal terms, take it one match at a time, and hope it ends in a victory for us.

Pumas sits third with nine points, but goalkeeper Wendy Toledo said the team has a larger objective than simply competing. The squad coached by Roberto Medina wants to catch the defending league champions, Campeón de Campeones winners and Concacaf W Champions Cup holders.

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In these matches, the extra push in the 80th minute is the fans, so I hope they are there because they are our third lung.

“We will defend our home with the desire to give our all. They are the leaders, and we want to compete with them. Taking the lead from them is something we are seeking. We will fight them on equal terms, take it one match at a time, and hope it ends in a victory for us,” Toledo said before the game.

Pumas can draw encouragement from an unusual coincidence. Its only two wins against América both came in the sixth round, the same stage as this upcoming meeting. Casandra Montero said the supporters could make the difference late in the match, calling them the team’s “third lung,” while defender Cristina Torres described Ciudad Universitaria as Pumas’ strength.

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Ciudad Universitaria is our strength.