Ep. 58 - Women’s Football: The New Era of Club América | Pt. 1

A century of trophies meets a modern mission: build a powerhouse in women’s soccer, connect with 45 million fans across two countries, and put supporters at the center of every decision. We sit down with Club América leaders Claudia Carrion and Quentin Paquelier to unpack how a historic club stays restless, ambitious, and relevant.

Claudia traces her journey from playing with boys to guiding América Femenil’s rapid rise, revealing what real investment looks like: a dedicated women’s gym, a bigger technical staff, stadium matches, and broadcast visibility. She breaks down the roster strategy, anchoring Mexican and Mexican-American talent with experienced internationals, and explains why Mexico’s development pathway demands new structures from grassroots to first team. Her message is clear: parity is built, not promised.

Quentin opens the hood on a global fan ecosystem, where one-third of América’s supporters live in the United States. That scale turns the U.S. into a second primary market and shapes everything from friendlies to content. He challenges the myth that Gen Z ignores sports, arguing that younger fans consume more, just differently. Short-form highlights, creator partnerships, smarter scheduling, and athlete-driven storytelling become tools to serve the game, not replace it. The principle that guides it all: keep the fan and the athlete at the center, and let technology follow.

We also explore why América shows up in places like Northwest Arkansas, far from the usual tour stops, to meet supporters where they live and to spotlight the women’s game in vibrant college markets. Along the way, we compare notes on building identity with community listening, collaborating with other clubs to grow the pie, and balancing tradition with change. If you’re curious about how an iconic brand scales, evolves, and still feels like family, this conversation delivers playbook-level insights.

Enjoyed the show? Follow Pitch to Pro, subscribe on your favorite app, and share this episode with a friend who loves the game. Your reviews and comments help more listeners find us, what was your biggest takeaway?