While women’s soccer in Mexico has never caught on in the same manner as in the United States or Canada, great strides are nonetheless being made south of the border.

This week, a keenly anticipated semi-professional women’s league commenced, featuring teams from all 18 clubs that form the country’s top male league, the Liga Mx.

Unlike their male counterpart, only Mexicans can play in the women’s league, the Liga Mx Femenil, and a certain number of players on each team must be aged under 23.  This is to help boost the standard of the national team, say the league’s developers.

Guadalajara boasts two teams in the league: Chivas and Atlas. While their male opposite numbers play in the colossal Ominlife and Jalisco stadiums, the women will do battle in more modest surroundings. The Chivas women’s games will be played at the club’s San Rafael training ground (Manuel M. Ponce 593, Colonia San Rafael), while Atlas will play in one of their private sports clubs, Atlas Chapalita (Copernico 943, Colonia Residencial Plaza Guadalupe).  Chivas first home game is on Saturday, July 29, 9 a.m., coincidentally against Atlas, while Atlas’ opener is on Saturday, August 5, 12:30 p.m.

The league is split into two regional groups of eight, with the top two in each group qualifying for the playoffs in December.

For full details of the Liga Mx Femenil and a complete schedule, see www.ligafemenil.mx.