Mexico 0 vs. 1 USA summary: stats, and highlights CONCACAF W Championship
The United States Women’s National Team is on to the semifinals of the CONCACAF W Championship after a 1-0 win over Mexico on Monday night. Kristie Mewis had the lone goal to break the game open in the 90th minute and send the US into the next round of the tournament with a perfect nine out of nine points.
US had WC bid wrapped up pregame
Coach Andovski’s side already knew they had qualified for 2023 World Cup, and secured first place in Group A, so perhaps the US team took their foot off the gas against a Mexican side that came into the match winless and scoreless in their opening two matches.
Mexico knew they needed a win to have a chance to make the inter-confederation playoff that the third place team must play to qualify for the World Cup.
It was a much tighter match than expected, especially in the first half where there US couldn’t get much going in the attacking third. The Mexican defense was disciplined and well shaped, not allowing many passages through to goal.
Purce was dangerous, but Mexico disciplined
When the US team did break through, goalkeeper Itzel Gonzalez was there to bail her side out. Gonzalez made her debut in the CONCACAF W Championship and she did not disappoint.
Margaret Purce was the danger point for the US in the first half, using her pace to get behind defenders at play the ball across the area. She also had the best chance of the first half after rolling a shot off the post in the 15th minute.
Mexico was playing even with the US well into the second half, but the match was turned on it’s head when substitute Lizabeth Ovalle came in on a challenge late with the studs up and after review she was shown a straight red to send Mexico into the final 17 minutes a player down.
Mewis with the winner
The US continued to struggle, as Mexico seemed to grow confident despite the disadvantage. Diana Ordoñez skipped around a defender and sent a rare shot on goal at Casey Murphy’s goal, which the US keeper able to bundle up.
Substitute Kristie Mewis was the hero when she followed up an Emily Sonnet header that was brilliantly saved by Gonzalez again, but Mewis was first to the bouncing ball and she tucked it over the line in the 90th minute.
Mexico was not just eliminated from the tournament with the loss, but it also means that they will miss out on the 2023 World Cup after falling short of the third place spot that would have sent them to a playoff.
Jamaica won the other Group A match against Haiti, so they are on to the semis with a World Cup birth while Haiti must get through the playoff.
The US with play Costa Rica, who finished second in Group B, in the semifinals while Jamaica and Canada will square off in the other semifinal.
It's the US and Jamaica who make it out of Group A with a World Cup birth and a spot in the semis.
The US are going to the semifinals with a perfect 9 out of 9 points.
Mewis off the bench, playing the hero in the 90th. What a save it was from Gonzalez, but Mewis got there first.
It's all over from the Estadio Universitario! The US makes it a perfect 9 points in 9 with a Mewis goal in the 90th.
Time wasting away as Mexico look exhausted chasing the ball.
There will be 8 minutes of stoppage time. Still hope for Mexico.
Heartbreaking stuff for Mexico who was playing so well with 10 players on the pitch.
Mewis in the 90th!!!! It started with a corner that was sent tot he back post Sanchez settled and dropped it back to Kornieck who played it back across goal. Sonnet headed it on goal and it took a miraculous save from Gonzalez but Mewis was there with the rebound.
Jimenez with a beautiful move around a defender, got a clean look from the left side of the area, but Murphy made the save.
Rapinoe into the heart of the box and there was a collision between three players in the small area. The ball squeaked goalward, but Gonzalez wrapped it up before it rolled over the line.
Rapinoe with a shallow cross that is sniffed out by Mexico and the US commits a foul to end the danger.
The US will get a corner kick, but Gonzalez is down again getting stretched after falling victim to some cramps again.
Jamaica has scored again, so they lead 4-0 which would mean if Mexico could win this game they would bump up to third place.
Rapione on the corner to the near post, and Morgan was there with the flick on that went screaming across the face of goal, but in the end rolls out for a throw in.
That will be a big blow to Mexico's World Cup chances. They have already had enough trouble creating chances and having to play with a player down won't help their cause.
Ovalle came in late on a challenge with Lavelle and after review she gets a straight red after the replay shows she came in late and with the studs up.
Morgan with a chest down in the area, and it falls for Mewis who sends her effort well wide.
Gonzalez having some trouble at the moment, as it looks like she is suffering the affects of some cramps.
Ovalle, just subbed on, with a strong run down the left side. She got to the touch line and sent it to the spot, but no one was there in time, as the US is able to clear.
We have four subs being prepared for the US. Rapinoe is one of the subs, Huerta, Mewis and Lavelle are the other three.
Smith skips around a defender on the left side of the box and takes it all on her own, but Gonzalez is there with another save after a bit of a bobble.
Sullivan with a strike after a coupe effors from Morgan and Sonnet were deflected to the waiting Sullivan outside the box. Gonzalez secures the shot again, and she continues to pile up the saves.
Seventh corner kick of the match for the US, who had Horan's service into the area headed away. Again the corner kick comes up empty.
O'Hara with a take over in the midfield and has a go from distance looking to catch Gonzalez off her line, but the effort sailed wide
If Mexico want any chance of winning this match, they have to start pushing bodies forward. They need a win to even be considered for that third spot which would send them to the playoff, so caution needs to be thrown to the wind sooner rather than later.
First corner of the second half for the US, and a flick on from the front post leads to nothing as Mexico's defense clears their lines.
More sloppy play and sloppy passing from the US, who are growing more frusterated as this match goes on.
Gonzalez off her line bravely again, and is invovled in a collision with Horan. The flag went up so the play is waved off but Horan was slow to get up.
First push up the park in the second half is from Mexico. Garcia played Cervanted through at the top of the box, Garcia looked to lay in back for Mayor but the thought was a bit to unselfish.
We are back in play for the second 45 minutes from Monterrey.
Purce was the most dangerous for the US in that half. The two decent chances came from runs down right side touchline, but nothing came of either build up.
For Mexico Mayor has been really the only threat, but it was been a controlled threat up until now.
Mayor had a chance to spray one across the face of goal, but a deflection forces a corner kick, which leads to nothhing.
The first half comes to a close with both teams even at 0-0.
Gonzalez and Smtih involved in a collision and it's Gonzalez who comes out worse off. Two minutes of stoppage time left in the half as Gonzalez gets to her feet.
Purce with an amazing burst all the way from her own defensive third up the touchline and played a perfect ball to Horan who gave a tame effort on the front post which was handled by Gonzalez. They will have to do better than that to beat Gonzalez tonight
Smith with a chance but skies it high. Purce sent one across the box and after Gonzalez got a fist to it, it fell for Smith who settled and had to put in on frame from that distance.
The US just can not figure out how to open up this back line. Mexico's midfield is doing a fantastic job shutting down lanes.
Mayor with a lovely bit of skill to break a teammate open in space, but Mexico pushing almost no one forward. When they get in those situations, there is very little support for someone looking to swing in a cross.
Our first card of the game is shown and it's Ferral earning her place in the book after a take down on a counter attack.
Not much going on in this game, but big news in the other Group A match up. Jamaica has gone ahead over Haiti in the first half. That's a winner go on situation for both teams, which would also mean a ticket to the World Cup.
Mexico with their first free kick in a dangerous place, and it leads to the first corner kick of Mexico's night.
Sullivan with the service, and again it's Gonzalez with a brave bit of goal keeping.
I just wonder how this match will change once there is a goal scored. Logic would tell you the first would come from the US considering there has been almost 0 possession in the other half of the pitch. I think one goal opens this match right up.
Purce is giving Mexico all they can handle with her long runs down the touchline, but so far the Mexico left back has been up for it.
Yet another corner, and again it's Mexico extinguishing the danger.
Purce off the post!!! It was a beautiful diagonal ball over the top from O'Hara and on to the foot of Purce who had a tough angle left. The keeper was beaten, but the post comes to the rescue.
Canada beat Costa Rica 2-0 in the match up between the top teams in Group B.
Mexico is looking quite solid on the back line. The US have had a couple of chances to push forward and El Tri have had an answer for every attack.
Smith and Sanchez working on a little one touch round just out side of the area, The attack is stopped but a corner kick conceded to the US again. Once again it's Gonzalez dealing with the danger.
Corner swung in, but punched away from Gonzalez. The US will get another chance this time from the other corner flag.
Five minutes in and the Mexicans get a touch over midfield that is greeted with a roar from the crowd. In the end the Shot from Mayor.
First chance of the match comes to Smith, who had her shot blocked by the defender. But boy, did the US side show some potency in the attack after the turnover in the midfield from MExico.
Remember, Mexico still have a chance at the World Cup, but they need a win here tonight to get the opportunity to reach the inter-confederation playoff.
There is a nice turnout from the Mexican fans who are looking for their side to surprise the USWNT
We are underway from Estadio Universitario!
Tonight's Odds
According to Bet365.com the USWNT comes into tonight’s game as the heavy favorite. Mexico is paying 34/1 if you are feeling the upset, but taking the US to win would win you almost nothing. The bet tonight might be on the Over/Under which is 4.5. The US had loads of chances in the game against Jamaica and left a few of them begging. I think the US continues to create chances tonight, but look for their finishing to be a bit sharper in front of goal.
Megan Rapinoe is back in the squad list after collecting her Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday.
Becky Sauerbrunn and Alex Morgan are back in the starting 11 from the USWNT. They sat out the last game as some of the younger players got some run.
Other match in the group
While there will be plenty of eyes on tonight’s Mexico vs. USA match, the real drama is happening in the other match as Jamaica and Haiti battle it out for a spot in the World Cup. The winner of tonight’s match, or Haiti if it ends in a draw, will punch their ticket to next year’s big dance while the third place team will have to survive and inter-confederation play-off. Haiti vs. Jamaica will be kicking off at the same time as the Mexico vs. USWNT match.
USA to WC 2023
The United States are on to their ninth straight World Cup after their win over Jamaica on Thursday night. Of those nine trip to the World Cup, the USWNT has won it all on four occasions, including the last two. Their qualification to World Cup 2023 gives them a chance for what with be a historic treble.
Group A Standings
With two wins and a goal differential of +8, the USWNT is well on their way to the next round of the tournament. Who will be joining them out of this group will be very intriguing, as Haiti and Jamaica will battle it out tonight with a one of match that will determine who will advance to the semifinal. Jamaica’s goal differential is -4 while Haiti’s is at 0, which means a draw will do for Haiti but the Reggae Girlz of Jamaica must win to surpass Haiti on points.
Ashley Hatch had a rough shift last time out. She had a handful of chances to put her name on the scoresheet, but couldn't find the back of the net. She will be out of action tonight, so she won't be able to get redemption.
Here is the Mexico starting 11, who will be looking fo their first goal in the competition. They will have to do it against the top iteam in the group.
Last time out: Mexico
Mexico has been disappointing on their home soil this tournament. Two matches in, and they have yet to score a goal. They had a chance to keep their World Cup dreams alive with at least a draw against Haiti, but they were thrashed 3-0 after conceding two spot kicks which both led to goals. One in the 14th minute and one in the 67th minute. Greta Espinoza was given her marching orders in the 77th, and Haiti added insult to injury with the game’s final goal shortly after.
Just in case you forgot, have another look at Sophia Smith's opener. Ablsolute class from the winger.
Last time out: USA
Sophia Smith started things off with a bang in the USWNT’s second match of the CONCACAF W Championship. Five minutes in she dazzled with a brilliant sombrero over a defender and finished off the golazo with a curling effort with the outside of her foot into the side netting for the opener. Three minutes later she ran on to a ball over the top and dinked it over the keeper for her second before the 10 minute mark. Rose Lavelle scored the third, and then Kristie Mewis banged one home from the spot three minutes before Trinity Rodman sealed 5-0 victory with and 86th minute goal.
We are live from Estadio Universitario
Hello everyone and welcome to Monterrey, Mexico where the hosts of the tournament know this is there last chance to leave a lasting impression infront of the home fans after failing to advance to the next round of the competition. The USWNT however, has locked up the top spot in the group and have a chance to finish the group stages with three clean sheets in three matches. The US has looked impressive, even with head coach Vlatko Andonovski making some changes to the 11 with the intent of getting some of the youngsters time on the pitch.
Mexico vs. USWNT
The United States have half of the mission completed, after locking up a World Cup 2023 birth in the opening two matches of the CONCACAF W Championship. Tonight they finish up group stages already having sealed the top spot in Group A, looking to keep the momentum rolling against Mexico. AS English will be with you all night with live coverage, stats, scores and highlights from the Estadio Universitario.