Setback to Mexico shows much more work remains
With the Olympics on the horizon — and an opportunity to redeem itself from last summer’s World Cup fiasco — the U.S. women’s national soccer team took a jarring step backward late Monday with a 2-0 defeat to Mexico at the CONCACAF W Gold Cup in Carson, Calif. Consider this:
The Americans had lost to Mexico once before, more than 13 years ago, in 42 previous meetings.
They had not lost at home against a team from CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean) since 2000 against rival Canada, breaking a 78-0-2 streak.
They had not conceded a goal at home to a CONCACAF foe since 2018.
They had not lost in regulation time against any opponent since November 2022.
In CONCACAF competitions, they had registered 33 consecutive shutouts.
The United States is No. 2 in the FIFA rankings, Mexico No. 35.
Mexico has not qualified for the World Cup since 2015 and the Olympics since 2004.
The Americans managed one shot on goal, were outshot 13-9 overall and earned just one corner kick (to Mexico’s nine).
“You have some rough days at the office,” defender Becky Sauerbrunn told the Associated Press, “and tonight is definitely a rough day.”
The defeat left the United States (2-1-0, six points) in second place in group play behind Mexico (2-0-1, seven) at the 12-nation inaugural tournament, which includes four guest teams from South America.
Under interim coach Twila Kilgore, the U.S. team had secured a quarterfinal berth last week after defeating the Dominican Republic, 5-0, and Argentina, 4-0. But with this setback, it will receive a less-favorable matchup this weekend at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles when the eight teams are reseeded.
It will also raise concerns about the ability to rebound from the roundof-16 elimination at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last year, the program’s earliest departure from a major tournament.
At the Olympics, which is smaller in scale and conducted in a shorter timetable, the room for error is narrow and most of the 12 teams are high caliber. The draw will take place next month in Paris.
Emma Hayes will become the permanent coach in May or June following her season with English club Chelsea. From afar, she has been working closely with Kilgore on Olympic preparations and long-term goals.
Losing to Mexico “just shows how far the game is coming and there’s no easy games anymore,” Kilgore said in her postgame news conference. “If we don’t take care of business and we don’t execute, this is to be expected.”
Kilgore started 10 experienced players, including Sauerbrunn, Lindsey Horan, Alyssa Naeher, Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle. Veterans Alex Morgan and Emily Sonnett entered at the start of the second half.
Top defender Naomi Girma was rested, and rising star Jaedyn Shaw did not enter until the 78th minute. Two other promising young players, Jenna Nighswonger and Olivia Moultrie, did not play.
Mexico went ahead in the 38th minute when Sauerbrunn misplayed the ball deep at the top of the U.S. penalty area. Jacqueline Ovalle took possession, pulled the ball away from the advancing Naeher and neatly chipped it into the net.
Mayra Pelayo — a former University of Florida and U.S. youth national team player — secured the victory in second-half stoppage with a sensational shot from 25 yards.
“They were bold, they were brave,” Mexican coach Pedro López said, “with the dream of playing a good game against the United States.”