Historic Upset: Mexico Stuns USWNT in W Gold Cup with 2-0 Victory – Highlights and Analysis
In a shocking turn of events, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) faced a historic defeat at the hands of Mexico in the Concacaf W Gold Cup group stage game. The 2-0 loss marked only the second defeat for the USWNT in 43 matchups against Mexico and their first on home soil against Concacaf opposition since 2000.
Mexico’s Lizbeth Ovalle scored the opening goal in the 38th minute, breaking the USWNT’s unbeaten streak of 80 games (78 wins, two draws) on home soil against Concacaf teams. Trinity Rodman had a late chance to equalize in the 89th minute, but her shot missed the mark. Moments later, Mexico secured their historic victory with Mayra Pelayo’s game-clinching goal in the second minute of stoppage time.
The defeat under interim coach Twila Kilgore, who took over after the team’s disappointing performance in the last summer’s World Cup, raised questions about the team’s tactical vision and selection choices. This marked the first loss for Kilgore, who will be succeeded by Emma Hayes later this spring.
Mexico’s head coach Pedro Lopez executed a perfect game plan, with La Tri’s impressive performance stifling the USWNT’s attack. The victory secured Mexico’s first-place finish in Group A, while the USWNT finished second. The loss emphasized the changing landscape of women’s soccer, with teams worldwide raising their level of play.
USWNT forward Alex Morgan acknowledged the evolving nature of Concacaf, stating, “Concacaf is not what it was 14 years ago when we had our last loss to Mexico.”
The defeat highlighted the need for improvement in the USWNT’s defensive and offensive strategies. Both goals conceded by the USWNT came from restart moments, indicating areas that require attention and refinement.
Coach Kilgore commented on the loss, stating, “If we don’t take care of business and we don’t execute, this is to be expected. We’ll step up and take ownership of that.” The defeat marked a significant setback for the USWNT’s preparations for the upcoming Olympics and raised concerns about their ability to adapt to evolving challenges.
Mexico’s historic win against the USWNT showcased their growth and confidence under Coach Lopez. The victory not only ended a long-standing dominance by the USWNT but also positioned Mexico as a formidable force in women’s soccer.
As both Mexico and the USWNT advance to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf W Gold Cup, the shocking result adds an extra layer of anticipation to the knockout stages. The defeat prompts the USWNT to reassess their approach and make necessary adjustments, with eyes on future competitions, including the 2024 Olympics and beyond.