With the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris right around the corner, the U.S. women began their one-two warmup punch with a 1-0 victory over Mexico thanks to Sophia Smith’s second-half strike.
Smith provided the goods in a match where the U.S. had plenty of attacking pressure but struggled to finish chances on the whole. It was the sweet right-footed blast of Smith that made the difference, receiving a lateral feed from Mal Swanson and doing the rest herself.
While preparing for the Paris games are at the forefront of their minds, the U.S. got revenge in the process as well, swinging this usually one-sided head-to-head series back in their favor after a defeat to Mexico in their first group match of the W Gold Cup in February.
Following this win is a second warmup friendly against another CONCACAF side in Costa Rica on Tuesday, before jetting off to Europe ahead of their Olympic opener against Zambia on July 25. As the Olympics near, expectations will be that this team performs at a level close to how they hope to play in France in a few weeks.
MORE: Full 18-player USWNT roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics plus three alternates
USWNT vs. Mexico final score
ScoreGoal scorersUSA1S. Smith (64′)Mexico0
Kickoff: 3:37 p.m. ET / 12:37 p.m. PT
Location: Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ)
Starting lineups:
USA (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Naeher (GK) — 2. Fox (Sonnett, 65′), 4. Girma, 12. Davidson, 13. Nighswonger (Dunn, 65′) — 16. Lavelle (Shaw, 75′), 17. Coffey, 10. Horan (Albert, 65′) — 5. Rodman, 11. S. Smith (L. Williams, 75′), 9. Swanson (Bethune, 81′).
Mexico (3-4-3, right to left): 21. Barreras (GK) — 4. Bernal, 14. Espinoza, 23. K. Rodriguez — 5. Luna, 7. M. Sanchez (Delgadillo, 68′), 2. Orejel (Nieto, 46′), 18. R. Reyes — 20. Camberos (Delgado, 68′), 9. Palacios (Pelayo, 68′), 11. Ovalle.
USWNT vs. Mexico live updates
FULLTIME: USA 1-0 Mexico
Sophia Smith’s goal is enough to secure a victory for the United States in this match. They deserved to win, but only just. The USWNT was brilliant in the buildup, creating multiple chances in front of net, but did not perform admirably finishing those chances.
Mexico, for their part, were right in it through the first half, but suffered from similar issues finishing their chances. They faded as the second half went on, and the U.S. gained firm control. The final 30 minutes were largely marked by the U.S. seeing out the game.
75th min: Lynn Williams, only just added to the Olympic roster as a regular, has come on to replace Sophia Smith. Jaedyn Shaw also enters in favor of Rose Lavelle. Smith has a long conversation on the touchline with Emma Hayes.
Minutes later, the USWNT makes its final sub, as Croix Bethune enters to replace Mal Swanson, earning her first senior international cap.
65th min: After the goal, United States head coach Emma Hayes makes her first changes of the match as Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, and Korbin Albert enter to replace Jenna Nighswonger, Lindsey Horan, and Emily Fox. The USWNT boss is protecting some of her most important players.
Shortly after, Mexico makes its own triple change, as Mayra Pelayo, Myra Delgadillo, and Alexia Delgado replace Kiana Palacios, Maria Sanchez, and Scarlett Camberos. Lots of fresh legs out on the pitch now for both teams.
64th min: GOAL! USA! Sophia Smith finally puts the U.S. ahead after gaining control of the attacking possession over the last few minutes and putting Mexico under heavy pressure!
Mal Swanson receives the ball atop the penalty area and looks to work space herself, but with nothing there, she feeds Smith to her left and the Portland Thorns forward deposits a brilliant strike for her 20th career USWNT goal!
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 13, 2024
60th min: Mexico have continued to put the U.S. women under significant pressure. They come agonizingly close to scoring the opener, but a shot from the doorstep under heavy pressure is put just wide. The space at the near post was there past Alyssa Naeher!
2nd half kickoff: Mexico make one change at halftime, as Jocelyn Orejel is hauled off for Karla Nieto.
HALFTIME: USA 0-0 Mexico
It’s been a lively first 45 minutes, and the fact this game is scoreless is quite a surprise. Both teams have had major scoring chances, but have been bested by last-gasp defending on multiple occasions.
The best U.S. chance came from Mal Swanson who nearly dribbled her way through the entire Mexico defense, but couldn’t get a shot off in the end. Sophia Smith also probably should have won a penalty just after the half-hour mark, but the protests were waved away.
Mexico also had a few big chances, but the U.S. back line did very well to recover before the opposing attackers could pull the trigger. Advice for both sides…just shoot!
Jenna getting things started in the back! pic.twitter.com/G1ubAI9KvW
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 13, 2024
45+1 min: Lizbeth Ovalle is booked for absolutely hacking Mal Swanson right outside the penalty area. She’s baffled by the call, wagging her finger at the referee, but it’s as blatant a yellow card tackle as you’ll ever see — from behind, miles from a touch on the ball, and hacks Swanson to the ground. It gives the U.S. a dangerous free-kick just outside the top-left corner of the penalty area, but it’s hideously wasted by Rose Lavelle, who blasts the ball miles beyond the far corner.
31st min: Sam Coffey receives a yellow card for trying to charge onto a loose ball atop the penalty area, but arrived late and ended up kicking Mexico goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras in the head. A deserved booking. You almost wonder if she was a split second later it could have been red. Ouch.
Kickoff: They’re under way outside New York City! Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, and the rest of the 1999 Women’s World Cup champions are honored on the field before kickoff. That’s an appropriate way to inspire this group of hopeful champions ahead of the Summer Olympics!
USWNT vs. Mexico lineups, team news, starting 11
With a squad boasting nearly full fitness for the first time in months, Emma Hayes can use this time to figure out what she wants her starting XI in France to be.
Unfortunately, Catarina Macario was forced to withdraw from the Olympic roster due to “knee soreness” with Lynn Williams taking her place in the squad. Sam Coffey returned from an ankle injury recently and figures to play. Legendary striker Alex Morgan was left off the roster amidst declining form near the end of her career.
USA starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Naeher (GK) — Fox, Girma, Davidson, Nighswonger — Lavelle, Coffey, Horan— Rodman, S. Smith, Swanson.
USA subs (11): Murphy (GK), Campbell (GK), Hershfelt, Sams, Sonnett, Krueger, Dunn, Bethune, Albert, L. Williams, Shaw.
Mexico are looking to return to winning ways after three defeats and a draw in their last four friendly matches. Mexico can count on a couple of key veterans, including Maria Sanchez in the middle of the field and Lizbeth Ovalle, who scored against the USWNT last time they met, out wide.
Mexico starting lineup (3-4-3, right to left): Barreras (GK) — Bernal, Espinoza, K. Rodriguez — Luna, M. Sanchez, Orejel, R. Reyes — Camberos, Palacios, Ovalle.
Mexico subs (12): Espino (GK), Felix (GK), K. Martinez, N. Hernandez, Delgado, D. Ordonez, Pelayo, Ferral, Nieto, Delgadillo, N. Perez, M. Reyes.
USWNT vs. Mexico stats, head-to-head record
The U.S. Women have a stellar all-time record against Mexico, with 40 wins in their 43 head-to-head meetings. However, last time they played, Mexico stunned the U.S. with a 2-0 victory back in February to begin the W Gold Cup group stage. The USWNT would recover from that defeat to win the title.
The USWNT has played nine previous matches at Red Bull Arena, winning five while drawing three and losing one.
USA WomenDrawsMexico Women4012
USWNT vs. Mexico live stream, TV channel
TV channel (English): TNT, TruTVTV channel (Spanish): Telemundo, UniversoStreaming (English): Fubo, (HBO) Max, PeacockStreaming (Spanish) Fubo, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo, Universo Now
USA: USA Women vs. Mexico from Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. will be televised in the United States on multiple networks. Fans can watch the match in English on TNT or TruTV, with a Spanish-language broadcast via Telemundo. All three channels are available to stream on Fubo with the latter offering a FREE seven-day trial.
Peacock is also streaming the match while Universo Now offers an alternative Spanish option.
If USA Women vs. Mexico is not available to watch live in your location, or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs offer a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.
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