Texas A&M Soccer rising junior Jimena López earned an invitation to a training camp for the Mexico Women’s National Team from January 14-22 in Mexico City.
López has been a star on Mexico’s youth national teams, but this marks her first call-up to the senior squad.
In August 2018, López played for Mexico at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup held in the Brittany region of France, starting all three of El Tri’s matches.
López starred for Mexico at the North, Central American and Caribbean Association of Football (CONCACAF) U-20 Championship in January 2018 as they bested the United States in a penalty kick shootout, 4-2, to claim the title to earn the World Cup spot. The teams played to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes, leading to the shootout. López buried her shot in the third round of the shootout to give El Tri a 2-1 advantage.
The Mexico City native was recognized for her stellar play at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship by being named to the Gold Cup Best XI by the Technical Study Group, identified as the tournament's top left back. In Mexico's five matches at the tournament, López played 485 of 510 minutes, tallying one goal and one assist. She was also successful on a penalty kick in both of Mexico's shootouts.
López also owns international experience playing for Mexico at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan and with the U-15 Mexican squad at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games in China.
As a sophomore, López played in 21 matches for Texas A&M, including 18 starts. She logged nine points on three goals and three assists.
López had a banner 2017 as a freshman with the Aggies. The defender started 20 matches for the Maroon & White, including 10 starts. She racked up seven points on three goals and one assist. López was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after scoring twice in the opening weekend while playing a part in an Aggie defense that recorded back-to-back-shutouts.
Mexico’s senior team looks to rebound from the disappointment of not qualifying for the 2019 Women’s World Cup. A youth movement is expected to help El Tri reclaim glory as they get a head start on the 2023 World Cup cycle.
