On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Pumas de la UNAM confronted one other powerful day within the Liga MX Apertura 2025 as their younger goalkeeper Rodrigo Parra as soon as once more discovered himself beneath the highlight for all of the incorrect causes. The 17-year-old, who made historical past because the youngest goalkeeper to debut for the membership, struggled throughout the house match towards Tuzos de Pachuca on the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, contributing to a 3-2 loss that left followers and analysts debating his future.
Rodrigo Parra’s journey to the primary staff has been a speedy ascent. Beginning his youth profession at Cruz Azul within the Sub14 class throughout the Apertura 2021, he progressed via the Sub16 stage till 2014. After a scouting alternative, he joined UNAM’s ranks, impressing coaches along with his bodily attributes and goalkeeping abilities as he superior via the Sub17, Sub19, and Sub23 groups. Regardless of his promising potential, Parra’s transition to the Liga MX first division has been something however clean.
His debut within the high flight got here throughout the opening match of the Apertura 2025 towards Santos Laguna, the place Pumas suffered a 3-0 defeat. Parra’s efficiency was marred by essential errors, together with a pricey hesitation on a again cross from Rubén Duarte that led to a aim. The younger goalkeeper ended that match in tears, visibly overwhelmed however supported by his teammates and the membership’s teaching workers led by Efraín Juárez.
Regardless of the shaky begin, Parra was once more entrusted because the beginning goalkeeper for the second match of the season on July 20, 2025, this time at house towards Pachuca. This resolution got here after the sudden departure of Alex Padilla to Athletic Membership and an damage to Pablo Lara, pushing Parra into the highlight as soon as extra.
Initially, Pumas took the lead twice within the match, with objectives from Pablo Bennevendo within the sixth minute and Jorge Ruvalcaba within the twenty seventh. Nevertheless, Parra’s errors shortly shifted the momentum. On the seventeenth minute, whereas Pumas was main 1-0, Parra obtained a ball in his space however, beneath stress from Alan Bautista, he hesitated and misplaced possession. Bautista capitalized instantly, scoring the equalizer for Pachuca. Followers who had initially cheered Parra’s inclusion started to develop stressed, their help wavering because the goalkeeper’s confidence appeared to falter.
Later within the first half, Parra’s troubles continued. On the thirty second minute, he misjudged a excessive ball clearance, permitting Jhonder Cádiz to attain Pachuca’s second aim with a easy end into an unguarded web. This error successfully erased Pumas’ benefit and intensified the stress on the younger goalkeeper. The match was tied 2-2 at halftime, a scoreline that mirrored each groups’ resilience but in addition highlighted Pumas’ defensive frailties.
Through the halftime break, a touching second unfolded when Carlos Moreno, Pachuca’s goalkeeper, approached Parra and provided phrases of encouragement, a gesture that was broadly praised on social media. Regardless of this present of sportsmanship, the second half noticed Pachuca take management. Gaston Togni scored a spectacular long-range aim from simply outdoors the penalty arc, sealing a 3-2 lead for the guests. Parra was not at fault for this aim, however the harm from his earlier errors had already set the tone for the match.
The Pumas trustworthy, initially welcoming Parra with chants of “¡portero, portero!” and heat applause as he took to the sphere, discovered themselves divided by the tip of the sport. Whereas some continued to help the younger goalkeeper, many expressed frustration, shouting “¡gol!” sarcastically when defenders handed again to him, an indication of their rising impatience and concern.
The continued debate round Parra’s performances spilled over into the media and soccer circles. Ricardo ‘Tuca’ Ferreti, a revered analyst for ESPN and former coach, controversially labeled Parra a “crybaby,” a remark that sparked a response from Miguel Mejía Barón, Pumas’ sporting director. Mejía Barón defended the younger participant, emphasizing the emotional challenges confronted by athletes: “Tears are a type of expression, and everybody makes use of them after they really feel it’s essential. The Tuca, my nice pal, has his manner of managing, however I consider that crying is pure and much more so once you’re younger and beneath stress.”
Regardless of the tough scrutiny, coach Efraín Juárez and his workers proceed to again Parra, recognizing his potential and the troublesome circumstances thrust upon him. The membership continues to be negotiating the attainable signing of veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas, a transfer that would ease the stress on the younger keeper if finalized. For now, Parra stays the beginning goalkeeper as Pumas search to stabilize their protection and climb the league standings.
As of this match, Pumas have suffered two consecutive defeats within the Apertura 2025, whereas Tuzos de Pachuca preserve an ideal file with six factors. The stress is mounting on Pumas to search out consistency, significantly in aim, the place Parra’s improvement might be essential for his or her marketing campaign.
Within the high-stakes world of Liga MX, the place each mistake is magnified and each efficiency scrutinized, Rodrigo Parra’s story continues to be being written. At simply 17, he faces challenges that many seasoned gamers would possibly battle with, and whereas the highway forward is unsure, the help from elements of the Pumas fanbase and his teaching workers means that this younger goalkeeper’s journey is way from over.
The match towards Pachuca was a vivid illustration of each promise and pitfalls—Pumas confirmed attacking spark however defensive lapses, particularly in aim, value them dearly. Because the Apertura 2025 unfolds, all eyes might be on Parra and Pumas to see if they will flip these early setbacks into classes for progress and resilience.
