Katia Garcia is set to become the first woman in two decades to referee a Liga MX match, according to the Mexican federation's Referees Committee. The 31-year-old, who officiated Concacaf W Gold Cup semi-final win for the U.S. women's national team over Canada, will travel back to Mexico to officiate Pachuca vs. Queretaro at the Estadio Hidalgo this Saturday. The match will mark just the second time that Liga MX has had a female referee. The last woman to officiate in a Liga MX match was Virginia Tovar in 2004.
Born in Mexico City and refereeing at the professional level since 2016, Garcia has had experience in competitions such as the 2023 Women's World Cup, She Believes Cup, Liga MX Femenil and Liga de Expansion. Earlier in the W Gold Cup semifinal, Garcia dealt with a rain-soaked pitch that was deemed as "unplayable" by Canada coach Bev Priestman. Despite the conditions, a match commissioner appeared to indicate to Garcia to continue the waterlogged game. Pachuca, currently third in the standings on goal differential, will have a chance to take first in the Liga MX table when they face 10th-placed Queretaro.
Source: ESPN