Rayadas’ Rebeca Bernal Earns Praise After Winning Gold Medal at Pan-American Games

CF Monterrey picked up a 2-1 win over Club América on Friday to close out the 2023 Apertura season. The victory also saw the Rayadas play without their leader, Rebeca Bernal, who was with the Mexican national team.

Bernal and Co. were representing Mexico at the Pan-American Games in Santiago, Chile. More importantly, the 26-year-old defender scored the lone goal in the 1-0 win over Chile in the gold medal game.

Returning to Monterrey with a gold medal, manager Eva Espejo praised the Rayadas’ No. 4 after the squad secured the win over Club América.

“Rebeca has an indescribable quality,” Espejo told reporters postgame on Friday (h/t Once Diario). “I love the legacy here, on and off the pitch. She is a very complete player in every sense. She has undergone a transformation in the last year, impeccable in many aspects. What happened today is not a coincidence.

“She is a player who, wherever you need her as a center back or as a containment player, is spectacular. She always tips the balance a little further ahead to win. Her participation is very valuable.”

Rayadas will now have their marquee defender back for the Liguilla. With Espejo leaving her position as manager after this tournament, the squad will eye winning the league title to send her out on top.