USWNT Beat Mexico in Grudge Match as Colorado Girls Cook

HARRISON, N.J. – Before yesterday’s United States Women’s National Soccer Team showdown with Mexico at a hot and muggy Red Bull Arena, everyone of Team USA’s Head Coach Emma Hayes’ players had something on their significant on their respective minds, and more so, something to prove to themselves and their fans. They did not want to repeat a painful loss to Mexico, as they did in CONCACAF’s W Gold Cup this past February.

In so money words, USA’s captain, Lindsey Horan, said she would have nothing to do with another loss to up-and-coming La Tri. The USA suffered its lone defeat of 2024 to Mexico in the group stage of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup, yet regrouped to bounce back and win the inaugural tournament in San Diego, California.

Mexico’s newly anointed head coach, Pedro Lopez, superbly prepared his young squad to battle with the Lady Yanks. He drafted a battle plan unlike any that the Lady Yanks have faced since playing against the world’s best in both New Zealand and Australia some 11 months ago.

When on attack, Mexico outfoxed, blitzed, flanked, and salvoed the United States throughout the 95-minute match. When on defense, the Green, White, and Red held the U.S.’s forward progress to the bare minimum, then dug in to protect their goal from any intruders. FIFA’s 29th-ranked Mexico side out-finessed 5th-ranked America, 2-0, in a very testy and embarrassing match.

In the 64th minute of yesterday’s grudge, Yank’s midfielder Rose Lavelle delivered a long pass down the right side of the pitch to Trinity Rodman, who played give-and-go with Mallory Swanson. Swanson found an unmarked  Sophia Smith deep in the left side of the penalty area. Smith smoothly pulled the ball back, out-maneuvered an incoming defender, then launched a hypersonic missile across the mouth of the goal frame and into the back of the net.

The goal was Smith’s 20th for the USWNT and fifth this year, lifting her into a tie with Jaedyn Shaw atop the 2024 scoring list. 

The Real Colorado alum now has four goals and one assist in her past four appearances, setting a new personal best with goal involvement in four consecutive games. The match was her 49th international appearance. 

“We have such dynamic players up front, I think we can create in so many ways. I should have put away a few more to begin with, and I hold myself to a higher standard than that,” said a beaming Smith during her post-match presser. “I think to myself and I want more, we can put more away, but it shows the different ways we are creating and working together.” 

“I think we have that naturally, but we have been working on it for sure,” Smith added. “I think we understand each other well. I think that’s what separates us from maybe other front lines. I feel like I know what Mal’s going to do when she gets the ball, I feel like I know what Trin’s going to do. We can all work off of that. “It’s easy to play with players that you know their tendencies,” Smith added. “We’ve learned each other well and will continue to do so.”

She came close to getting her second of the day, however, hit the right post after being played through perfectly by Swanson in the 73rd minute. Early in the back-and-forth match, Smith and Lavelle went after Mexico goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras. 

The duo  blasted off more shots in the opening minutes than in the entire Concacaf W Gold Cup group-stage match between the teams. 

When it was Hayes’ turn to address the media, she stated, “If we use the Concacaf Gold Cup match as a reference point, I think it’s fair to say this game was much more measured, much more controlled. She continued, we limited them to very little, so it is a step in the right direction.”

She wrapped up her press conference by saying, “We started the game well so it was a good intensity, great chances. I think we rushed that play a little and [the] intention is good. I can’t fault or criticize the players for that, but it’s teaching them the right moments.”

After the match, the team flew to Washington DC where they will host FIFA’s 44th ranked Costa Rica on Tuesday in MLS Audi Field and Stadium, before jetting off to Europe to open their pre-Olympics camp in the South of France.

The final send-off game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 16th at 5:30 p.m. MT. Viewing options include TNT, truTV, Universo, Max, Peacock, and FUBO TV. 

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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