MEXICO CITY — Aaliyah Farmer, an American-born soccer player, requested to part ways with her team in Mexico’s premier women’s soccer league after experiencing harassment during her time there, according to UANL Tigres coach Pedro Losa. The decision came after just one year with the team.
Losa did not specify the nature of the harassment that Farmer encountered. At 22 years old, she was born in California but has Mexican roots and represents Mexico’s national team. Earlier this week, she was released from Tigres and has since signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League.
“There was a turning point for her. She felt unsafe due to the harassment and communicated that to us,” Losa stated at a press conference. “As a club, we had a responsibility to support her.”
Farmer’s departure adds to a growing list of American-born players leaving Liga MX Femenil due to harassment issues. In October 2024, Lucia Yáñez decided to leave Puebla and return to Los Angeles after facing harassment, including people throwing rocks at her home during matches.
Now playing for FAS in El Salvador, Yáñez shared her distressing experiences in Mexico.
Scarlett Camberos also left Mexico in 2023 due to prolonged online harassment and subsequently signed with Angel City FC in Los Angeles. She returned to the Mexican league a year later to join Club America.
Furthermore, harassment has affected non-American women in the league as well.
“I want to raise awareness. Daily, female players and women in society endure such negativity, both on social media and elsewhere,” Losa commented. “No woman should feel intimidated, abused, or harassed.”
Farmer, who spent four seasons at Southern California and won a Big Ten title in 2024, started her professional career with Tigres in 2025. During her time there, she played in 24 matches, with 20 as a starter, and contributed to the team’s success in winning the Apertura tournament championship in December. She made her debut for the Mexican national team in May 2025 and has since appeared in eight matches.