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.

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More About this Episode

Pitch to Pro: The New Era of Club América and the Global Rise of Women’s Football

The roar of the crowd at the Estadio Azteca is a sound that echoes far beyond the borders of Mexico City. It is a sound that carries a century of history, fourteen league titles, and the weight of a fan base that numbers 45 million strong. But as we sit down in Northwest Arkansas for this special episode of the Pitch to Pro Podcast, we aren't just looking back at the trophies of the past. We are looking directly into the eyes of the people who are architecting the next hundred years of one of the world’s most iconic sporting institutions.

Today we are pulling back the curtain on a journey that spans from the historic streets of Mexico to the rapidly growing soccer culture right here in NWA. To help us navigate this transition, we were joined by two individuals who represent the perfect blend of sporting passion and corporate strategy: Claudia Carrion, the Corporate Director of the women’s side at Club América, and Quentin Paquelier, the club’s Chief Marketing Officer.

This isn't just a conversation about soccer; it’s a masterclass in how to build a brand that lives in the hearts of millions while navigating the modern complexities of gender equity, international expansion, and the ever-changing habits of the digital fan.

The DNA of a Trailblazer: Claudia Carrion’s Mission

When you listen to Claudia Carrion speak, you don't just hear a corporate executive; you hear a player who never stopped fighting for her place on the pitch. Claudia’s story is the story of the modern women’s game. She grew up with football in her veins, but in an era where the infrastructure for girls was virtually non-existent. She spent her youth playing with boys, not because she wanted to prove a point, but because it was the only way to play the game she loved.

Despite a background in graphic design, a far cry from the locker room, her passion eventually pulled her back to the sport. When the Liga MX Femenil was founded in 2017, it wasn't just a new league; it was the signal Claudia had been waiting for. She realized that while she might have missed the opportunity to play at a professional level in her youth, she now had the chance to ensure the next generation didn't suffer the same fate.

After proving her mettle at Pachuca, she received the call that every football professional in Mexico dreams of: Club América. As the first Sporting Director for the women’s side, she took on a responsibility that goes far beyond winning matches. She is building a "staircase" for women’s football. In Mexico, the path to the pros is often the reverse of the United States. While we rely on a robust collegiate system, Mexico is building from the ground up, creating a professional structure that can compete with the best in the world.

Grandes de Corazón: The Club América Philosophy

Quentin Paquelier, the club’s CMO, brings a unique perspective to this storied institution. A Frenchman who found his home in Mexico via political science and a stint at Meta, Quentin understands that a club as large as América is a family first and a corporation second. The club’s motto, Grandes de Corazón (Greatness of Heart), isn't just a marketing slogan; it’s a directive from the ownership down to the equipment managers.

"If you can’t do big things, at least do whatever you do with greatness," Quentin explained. This philosophy is the engine behind their current push. While the men’s side is a 110-year-old juggernaut, the women’s team, América Femenil, is approaching its 10th anniversary. This century-wide gap creates a fascinating dynamic where the club uses its massive established brand to accelerate the growth of the women’s game.

The numbers are staggering. Club América has 45 million fans worldwide. To put that in perspective, that is roughly the entire population of Spain. Of those 45 million, 15 million are located right here in the United States. For Quentin and the leadership team, the U.S. isn't a "secondary" market like Southeast Asia or the Middle East might be for European clubs. It is a second primary market. This is why their presence in Northwest Arkansas is so significant. They aren't just here for a friendly; they are here to serve a fan base that is as loyal and demanding as the one in Mexico City.

Building a Global Powerhouse in the Women’s Game

One of the most compelling parts of our discussion focused on the physical and financial investment required to make women’s football a global product. Claudia and Quentin are not interested in "lip service" philanthropy. They are investing in high-performance infrastructure.

Quentin shared a telling anecdote about a major European club visiting their facilities. While European giants like Lyon are often seen as the gold standard for the women’s game, the visitors were "blown away" by Club América’s dedicated women’s gym and training centers. The club has created mirrored structures for both the men and women, ensuring that the athletes have the tools they need to perform at the highest level.

This investment is paying off. América Femenil is now a destination for World Cup winners and top talent from both Europe and the U.S. They are blending the gritty, technical style of Mexican national team players with the tactical experience of foreign stars. The goal is simple: to make América Femenil the most winning and most recognized women's team in the world. They are competing against a hundred years of history, but in just eight years of professional league play, they have already positioned themselves as a global powerhouse.

The Fan at the Center of the Storm

As a CMO who has worked at the highest levels of tech and sports, including Real Madrid and Meta, Quentin has a refreshingly grounded view of the future. While the industry is obsessed with AI and the "death" of traditional sports consumption among Gen Z, Quentin argues that we are overcomplicating a very simple relationship.

"I fight the idea that the new generations don't consume sports anymore," he said. "They actually consume it even more. They just consume it differently."

The challenge for a club like América is to adapt the "entertainment product" without losing the soul of the game. Whether it’s through rule changes in other sports like MLB or the evolution of broadcasting, the goal is to keep the fan and the athlete at the center. In Northwest Arkansas, a market that is relatively young in its professional soccer journey, this fan-centric approach is vital. We are building a soccer culture here, and learning from a club that manages 45 million expectations daily is an invaluable lesson for us at Ozark United FC.

Rising Tides and the NWA Connection

Why Northwest Arkansas? Why now? As Quentin noted, the club wants to move beyond the traditional strongholds of Los Angeles, Dallas, and New York. They recognize that the "magic" of NWA lies in its unique blend of community and growth. Our region is already a hub for women’s soccer excellence, thanks to the University of Arkansas and the incredible work of Coach Colby Hale.

The arrival of Club América for the "Golden Clash" is a validation of the work being done in this corner of the state. It represents a "rising tide" that lifts all boats. When a club of this magnitude engages with our community, it raises the bar for everyone, from youth clubs to our own professional aspirations.

As we look toward the future, the partnership between historic giants and emerging markets like ours will define the growth of the sport in North America. We are all after the same thing: doing good through soccer. For 90 minutes, we might be rivals on the pitch, but for the rest of the year, we are collaborators in a global movement to make the beautiful game more inclusive, more professional, and more engaging for the fans who make it all possible.

Key Strategic Pillars of Club América’s Growth

To understand the scale of what Claudia and Quentin are building, it helps to look at the pillars that guide their daily operations:

  • Women's Football as a Priority: This is not a "side project." It is one of the top three strategic priorities for the entire institution, receiving heavy investment in coaching staff, facilities, and international scouting.
  • Internationalization via the U.S.: Recognizing that 33% of their fan base is American, the club is treating the U.S. as a primary domestic market, focusing on non-traditional regions to expand their reach.
  • Fan-Centric Innovation: Moving beyond traditional broadcasting to meet fans where they are, using technology as a tool to enhance the relationship between the athlete and the supporter.
  • Institutional Consistency: Ensuring that the "América Brand," one of winning and greatness, is applied equally across men’s, women’s, and youth categories.

A Look Ahead

The journey of Club América Femenil is just beginning. As they approach their 10th anniversary, the foundation is set. They have the stadium, the broadcast deals, the elite facilities, and, most importantly, the leadership of people like Claudia and Quentin.

For those of us in Northwest Arkansas, this is a call to action. We have a front-row seat to the evolution of a global giant. Whether you are a long-time fan or someone brand new to the game, the message from Club América is clear: Soccer is a vehicle for greatness, and there is a seat at the table for everyone.

We are so grateful to Claudia and Quentin for sharing their time and their vision with us. The work they are doing is a blueprint for the future of the sport. Until next time, keep the passion alive and remember, greatness starts in the heart.