Team Interview - Chivas Femenil - Mexico
Andrea Medrano Preciado - Head Coach
Tell us briefly the name of your club and where you come from, a little background?
I am Andrea Medrano Preciado. I coach the Chivas U18 girls' team. When the league started, people close to me and those I used to play football with dedicated themselves to playing football professionally, but I had the dream of coaching. People ask me if it was my dream as a child to become a coach; as a child, perhaps I couldn't dream of it because that possibility did not exist at the time, but I had the clear idea that I wanted to be involved in football, that I wanted to be a part of the sport. When the Women's League started, I decided to follow my dream, study, and prepare myself, and coached different teams. Then the doors opened for me at the girls' grassroots project in Chivas. And that's when this dream of coaching at a professional level started.
Tell us what participating in the Dana Cup means for you and your team/s?
If I could use one word, it would be "consistency." When I joined this club, they told me that they wanted to train players so that they could develop in the best possible way, not only at a sporting level but at a personal level too, to have players well prepared and able to stay in the First Division for a long time and to be able to give their 100% at that level. The fact that they are taking us to this kind of tournament so that the players can play internationally is consistent with their vision. Players can obtain certain things and experiences they won't get in national tournaments as they will in international tournaments. It is very important because there is a commitment from the club towards what they want to become, to have a strong academy, and to become the best in Mexico. This opportunity gives the players an experience that will help them develop better.
What are your goals and expectations at the Dana Cup 2023?
We have a clear objective: to win the tournament and to be champions. What Chivas is doing by supporting and developing the women's teams for me is impressive, and it is something that, as a girl, I never thought was possible. Today that I can be part of this, I am committed to the club and to giving back a little of what they give us by bringing back the trophy. In the end, the titles are where clubs get recognition for their work. On the other hand, I want the players to live new experiences and see that there is much more to them and that they can achieve it simply with their work and dedication. I want them to realize that today there are plenty of doors open for them and that it will depend on whether they want to go for more. Nowadays, the possibilities are endless, and if they dedicate themselves as they do daily, they can reach international tournaments and much more.
Dana Cup has made a pledge to support the Global Goals – which goal will you play for at the Dana Cup 2023?
Global Goal No. 1 - No Poverty - We want to play to end poverty in all forms since football is a tool where you can develop at all levels. You can find a professional path, but you can also develop academically and financially; it opens doors for you to build a career and gives opportunities you wouldn't have otherwise if you come from a vulnerable situation.
Angeline del Rocío Barrera Fletes - Player
Tell us briefly the name of your club and where you come from, a little background?
My name is Angeline del Rocío Barrera Fletes, I play as a left back for the Chivas U18 girls´ team. I came to Chivas four years ago, before that I used to play in a team that was near the Jalisco Stadium, I love football since I was a little girl.
Tell us what participating in the Dana Cup means for you and your team/s?
I am proud to represent Chivas. It is my dream play this kind of tournaments and I am very happy for the opportunity.
What are your goals and expectations at the Dana Cup 2023?
We want to win the tournament, or at least reach the final.
Dana Cup has made a pledge to support the Global Goals – which goal will you play for at the Dana Cup 2023?
Global Goal No. 4 - Quality Education - In this Dana Cup I would like to play for the quality of education. I think it is important for us young people that we all have access to a good quality education.
Sofía Rodríguez Oropeza - Player
Tell us briefly the name of your club and where you come from, a little background?
My name is Sofía Rodríguez Oropeza, I am 17 years old. I play for Chivas as a left center back. I have been playing football since I was six years old. I started playing at a boys´ team and I grew, going level after level until the girls´ category opened and Chivas gave me the opportunity to join their team.
Tell us what participating in the Dana Cup means for you and your team/s?
It´s a dream for me and all of us, because having experience in an international competition is a dream that many of us had and I think that this tournament shows how far women's football has come and the support it receives at the grassroots level.
What are your goals and expectations at the Dana Cup 2023?
Obviously, the objective is to grow as players, this tournament will help us a lot to experience the competitive level that exists in Europe and obviously I believe that Chivas is qualified to compete at the highest level and take the trophy home.
Dana Cup has made a pledge to support the Global Goals – which goal will you play for at the Dana Cup 2023?
Global Goal No. 5 - Gender Equality - In this Dana Cup, I would like to play for gender equality, I think it is an aspect that we all must consider and that we must keep fighting for, so that we can all live in the same conditions.
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