The US Women’s National Team opened the CONCACAF Women’s Championship by defeating Mexico 6-0. After a competitive first half, where USA only scored one goal, the USWNT put five past Mexico in the second half.
USA took all three points in their first group stage game. They are now tied with Panama, who beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0. Let’s take a look at how the match played out.
1st Half:
The first half was dominated by the USWNT. This was evident from the early stages. In the third minute The U.S. moved the ball forward. After some beautiful passing, Mexican defenders blocked what would be a lethal pass. Fortunately enough for the USWNT, the ball found the foot of Linsey Horan inside the box. She squared the ball to a wide open Megan Rapinoe, who put the chance home. After just three minutes, Mexico was rattled and forced into playing overly aggressive.
As the half went on, Mexico tried to push numbers forward. Unfortunately for them the USWNT midfield and defense stifled their chances. The U.S. looked like they would score a boat load of goals when they were on the ball, but none of their shots were going in.
As the half ended, USA out-shot Mexico 11-0, but it was still just a one goal game. Then the second half happened.
2nd Half:
The floodgates were indeed opened by the U.S. in the second half. Just minutes into the half, Julie Ertz put the USWNT up by two.
In the 47th minute, Megan Rapinoe sent in a free kick into the box. A defender tried to clear it but the ball bounced around towards the goal and hit the crossbar. The ball found the feet of Horan after deflecting all over the Mexico six yard box. She played the ball back to Ertz who pounded on the chance putting it away. With a 2-0 lead, the US Women’s National Team continued to play the same way.
In a four-minute span, 57′-61′, the USWNT found two more goals. The third goal came from Alex Morgan who headed home a chance from a corner kick. Rapinoe put in a great ball, and Morgan timed her run perfectly to secure the third goal for USA. Just four minutes later Tobin Heath scored the fourth U.S. goal. Megan Rapinoe sprung Crystal Dunn down the left-wing. Dunn put a cross to the far post Heath was there to meet it with her head. She put the chance out of the keepers reach to make the score 4-0. The U.S. were not done yet.
In the 70th minute The USWNT dominated play again. A corner was sent into the box, bounce around and popped out to substitute Carli Lloyd. Lloyd was bodied off the chance by a Mexican defender, but the ball fell right to the foot of Rapinoe. She tapped home the chance past Mexico’s keeper, and it was 5-0. After 10 more minutes of dominating U.S. play they found their final goal.
In the 80th minute, Crystal Dunn found Alex Morgan making a run that split Mexico’s center backs. The ball was tapped away by a Mexican defender, but fell to the feet of Becky Sauerbrunn. She continued her run into Mexico’s box, kept her heard raised, and saw Morgan open. Suerbrunn slotted the ball back to Morgan, and she netted her second goal of the match. After this moment the U.S. were done scoring, but continued to look dangerous.
The last 10 minutes of the match was a continued onslaught of USWNT chances. Mexico failed to get the ball anywhere near the U.S.’s goal, and the match ended a huge 6-0 win for USA.
USA created a dream start to the final round of World Cup Qualifying; Mexico dug themselves a hole, but it’s one they can still climb out of.
2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship Group A Standings
|
TEAM |
GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|
USA |
1 |
1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
3 |
|
Panama |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Trinidad & Tobago |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
-3 |
0 |
0 |
| Mexico | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -6 | 0 |
0 |
Noteworthy Notes:
Megan Rapinoe captained the side, and was the best player on the pitch. She scored two goals and set up another. The 33-year-old veteran showed that she can lead this heavily talented team as they move closer and closer to qualifying for France 2019.
Midfield dominance. Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle and Julie Ertz dictated play in the center of the pitch. Their organization helped create offense, and broke down Mexican chances. They will be the catalyst for the U.S. as they look to qualify for the 2019 World Cup.
Goals on goals on goals! The U.S. scored six in their first match of this CONCACAF Women’s Championship. Rapinoe and Morgan each scored twice, while Ertz and Heath scored as well. This team is a force to be reckoned with in the offensive third.
Box Score:
USA Lineup:
Alyssa Naeher; Kelley O’Hara (Emily Sonnett, 67), Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn; Julie Ertz, Rose Lavelle (Carli Lloyd, 66), Lindsey Horan; Tobin Heath (Mallory Pugh, 77), Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe (capt.)
Substitutes not used: Samantha Mewis, Morgan Brian, Hailie Mace, Casey Short, Ashlyn Harris, Christen Press
Head Coach: Jill Ellis
Mexico Lineup:
Bianca Henninger; Kenti Robles, Rebeca Bernal, Arianna Romero (Christina Murillo, 78), Cristina Ferral; Bianca Sierra, Nayeli Rangel, Nancy Antonio (Katlyn Johnson Carreón, 61), Stephany Mayor (capt.), María Sánchez (Kiana Palacios, 47), Charlyn Corral
Substitutes not used: Cecilia Santiago, Mónica Flores, Karla Nieto, Lizbeth Ovalle, Ariana Calderón, Mónica Ocampo
Head Coach: Roberto Medina
Scoring Summary:
USA – 3′ Megan Rapinoe (Lindsey Horan)
USA – 47′ Julie Ertz (Lindsey Horan)
USA – 57′ Alex Morgan (Megan Rapinoe)
USA – 61′ Tobin Heath (Crystal Dunn)
USA – 70′ Megan Rapinoe
USA – 80′ Alex Morgan (Becky Sauerbrunn)
Disciplinary summary:
None
Highlights:
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Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
