Ximena Rios is a dynamic presence on the left wing for Cruz Azul in Liga MX Femenil, known for her defensive contributions and tactical awareness. At 23 years old, the Mexican national has carved out a role that emphasizes her ability to disrupt opposition plays and transition the ball effectively. Despite being positioned as a forward, Rios exhibits a unique skill set characterized by her defensive acumen rather than traditional attacking stats. With 26 games under her belt amassing a total of 1587 minutes, her stats highlight a player deeply involved in the game's defensive aspects, with possession-adjusted interceptions at an impressive 3.63 per 90 minutes and challenges at 4.91 per 90 minutes, albeit with room for improvement in challenge success.
What sets Ximena Rios apart is her exceptional playmaking capability, as evidenced by her Playmaker Rank of 3 out of 5 and her adeptness in progressive play. Averaging a progressive carrying distance of 88.28 meters per 90 and a passing distance of 254.14 meters per 90, Rios effectively transitions the ball from defense to attack, an indispensible asset for Cruz Azul's gameplay. While her goals per 90 stands at 0.44, indicating her offensive potential, her primary value lies in ball distribution and defensive reliability, underscoring her player archetype as Defensive Minded. Ximena Rios continues to be a pivotal figure in Cruz Azul's current lineup, offering a blend of defensive strength and forward momentum that is crucial to her team's strategy.
América · CB