Rayadas' Restrepo: Beating América Is Not the Goal, Becoming Champions Is

In the ongoing Apertura 2026 season of Liga MX Femenil, Rayadas defender Marcela Restrepo has delivered an important message about her team's mentality. She made it clear that beating América in the regular season is not their main goal; rather, becoming champions at the end of the season is their true objective. This statement reflects not just a focus on one match, but a process-oriented mindset that helps the team avoid making big decisions based on emotion. In Restrepo's words, "The objective is not to beat América but to become champions." This remark indicates that the team is more focused on their own improvement than on the opponent. She added that she reminds her teammates that they are essentially playing against themselves. In other words, overcoming their own limitations is their real challenge. This philosophy is a very mature perspective in sports, keeping the team away from external pressure and directing them toward internal growth. The upcoming match is Matchday 10 of Apertura 2026. In the previous tournament final, Rayadas lost to América. After that defeat, many fans and media see this match as an opportunity for revenge. A teammate named Jana Gutiérrez even mentioned it in the media as possible revenge. But Restrepo refuses to give that narrative weight. She says that thinking about revenge in only the tenth matchday of the season would be too hasty. Because in Liga MX Femenil, the champion is decided through the playoffs or Liguilla, which is a completely different scenario from the regular season. There, no one has a predetermined path. Therefore, treating a regular-season match as the definitive moment of revenge would be incorrect. Restrepo further explained that within the team, they work by setting individual, weekly, and daily objectives. This process-oriented planning moves the team forward step by step and prevents any single match result from being given excessive importance. Her message is essentially a strategy of expectation management, where the regular season and the Liguilla are viewed separately. As a result, a win or loss in one match cannot overly affect the team's overall morale. According to the structure of Liga MX Femenil, the Liguilla is held after the regular season, and the champion is decided there. This reality further strengthens Restrepo's argument. Because a regular-season match can never be the final measure of success. If the team is truly a title contender, they must maintain consistency throughout the season and be in top form in the playoffs. In that case, the result of Matchday 10 is only one step, not the final outcome. Rayadas proved they are title contenders by reaching the last final. But this time their goal is even bigger. Playing against América, the previous final winner and one of the strongest teams in the league, brings extra pressure. To handle that pressure, the leadership of an experienced player like Restrepo is crucial. She delivers messages directly in the dressing room, indicating that she is not just a player on the pitch but also manages the team's mental aspect. This leadership quality will help the team stay calm in big matches. The pressure of media and fan expectations is also significant here. After losing the previous final, they want to see a win against América. But Restrepo, instead of indulging that emotion, presented a realistic picture. She made it clear that the revenge narrative can distract the team. So she wants to keep her teammates' focus on their own improvement. This attitude is positive for the team because it keeps the players free from excessive pressure. The question may arise: is América then pressure-free in this match? América also knows that a regular-season result does not guarantee them the title. However, as the previous final winner, they have more confidence. On the other hand, Rayadas will want to prove that they are now more mature. This match is therefore important for both teams, but not decisive. One thing is clear from Restrepo's message: success comes step by step. Through daily training, meeting weekly objectives, and individual improvement, the team gradually moves toward the title. If beating América were the only goal, then upon reaching the Liguilla the team might lose its way. But when the true goal is to become champions, then every match is just a step. This long-term thinking sets Rayadas apart from others. Competition in Liga MX Femenil is constantly increasing. Besides Rayadas and América, other teams are also in the title race. Therefore, dropping any points in the regular season can affect qualification for the Liguilla. From that perspective, the Matchday 10 game is important, but not something to be carried away by revenge emotions. Restrepo is giving exactly that message. All in all, Marcela Restrepo's statement reveals the mentality of a mature player. She wants to lead the team not by momentary emotion but through a well-organized process. In her view, beating América is not a final goal; the final goal is to become champions at the end of the season. If Rayadas can maintain this philosophy, they will emerge as an even stronger contender in the Liguilla. And if they lose, the team will still know that one match is not the evaluation of their entire season. That is true professional mentality.