USWNT Recap: Sophia Smith Converts, U.S. Beats Mexico 1-0
While securing the win, their is room for improvement for the USWNT
The United States Women’s National Team faced off against Mexico as preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics continues and head coach Emma Hayes secured her first-ever win against the North American foes.
Hayes and Co. have a point to prove heading into the summer games. The U.S. currently is ranked fifth in the world by FIFA, the lowest ranking the stars and stripes have had since the organization began ranking women’s national teams in 2003.
Alyssa Naeher got the start in net while Jenna Nighswonger, Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson and Emily Fox made up the back line. Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle played were the midfield trio.
Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman were on the wings with Sophia Smith serving as the No.9. Throughout the match, Smith and Swanson would interchange showing the flexibility that Hayes has in her front three.
While not featured in the starting XI, Lynn Williams was named to the Olympic due to midfielder Catarina Macario being forced to miss the tournament due to right knee irritation. With an alternate being plucked to the main roster, defender Emily Sams will now serve as an alternate and travel to Paris this summer.
After a few sloppy plays to start the match, the USWNT attack was constantly playing balls into the box in the early minutes of the match. Mexico struggled to maintain possession and get the ball out of its own third.
Even when Mexico was able to get forward, Davidson and Girma did a great job closing down on their opposition and causing turnovers.
Smith was gifted a perfect chance in the 14th minute as she rounded the keeper after being played in behind but saw her shot go wide. The USWNT had another chance in the 21st minute as Lavelle played in Rodman who cut the ball back across goal to Smith whose attempt went wayward.
The ability of the front three to inter-play was crucial in the U.S. attack. Smith, Rodman, and Swanson worked well up front and were able to play off each other to near perfection. The only thing missing was a goal.
But soon after Mexico came charging back. A turnover by the back line gifted Mexico a scoring chance but they failed to convert. A free kick in the 27th minute was a dangerous chance but failed to find the head of any player as the ball trickled out of bounds.
It appeared as though the U.S. was going to receive a penalty kick after Swanson and Horan were taking down in the box in the 31st minute but the U.S. was the one to be called for a foul as Coffey tried to pounce on a loose ball but Esthefanny Barreras had already claimed it when the U.S. midfielder made contact with the ball.
As the first half neared its end, both sides struggled to truly attack. Fouls were a plenty but the U.S. was gifted a perfect opportunity after Lizbeth Ovalle chopped down Swanson. Lavelle curled in a ball off the free kick but it went out of bounds. The U.S. showed its ability to attack but was missing the final product. Whether it be taking too many touches or not connecting on passes, the stars and stripes just couldn’t find a goal in the first half.
The U.S. attack was still buzzing as the second half began in the 46th minute, Smith was able to get by a pair of Mexican defenders and play Swanson in on goal but her shot went wide.
Smith rocketed a shot towards goal in the 52nd minute that was saved by Barreras but the rebound deflected right back to Smith. But the 23-year-old took too many touches as the golden opportunity went to waste.
Soon after Mexico began its charge forward. If it wasn’t for key interventions from U.S. defenders, Hayes’ squad would have gone down a goal. This bend but don’t break defending can suffice in friendlies but once the USWNT is in Paris, the level of play needs to improve.
The breakthrough nearly came in the 60th minute as Rodman caused a turnover that saw Smith get on the ball, the 23-year-old played Swanson towards goal and once again a U.S. player was able to round the keeper but a Mexican defender cleared the ball off the line.
In the 64th minute, the fans at Red Bull Arena finally got what they were waiting for. Lavelle played Rodman down the wing and she was able to find Swanson in the box. The Chicago Red Stars forward laid the ball off to Smith who curled it into the back of the net.
Korbin Albert, Crystal Dunn, and Emily Sonnett entered the match as they replaced Horan, Nighswonger, and Fox in the 64th minute.
Smith nearly doubled her tally in the 72nd minute but her low, curling shot rifled off the near post. In the 75th minute, Smith and Lavelle were replaced by Jaedyn Shaw and Williams. For Smith it was a productive performance but she possibly could have left the match with a brace or a hat trick if she was more clinical.
Hayes’ last sub was a memorable one as she took of Swanson in favor of Croix Bethune who earned her first cap. Bethune nearly found the back of the ent in the 83rd minute but her shot curled wide.
Overall it was a solid win for the U.S., but Hayes will be wanting more from her side when they face Costa Rica for another friendly on July 16.