The USWNT defeated Mexico 5-1 in front of a sold out crowd of 27,000 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. This match was the second of three send off matches before the team heads to Canada for the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
Jill Ellis made some slight changes to the lineup used against Ireland; starting Morgan Brian on the right wing, moving Christen Press up top and giving Sydney Leroux a rare start as well. Brian, who has mostly played centrally with Lauren Holiday, had a solid game in the outside position and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her there more often. While Press wasn’t overly involved in the action in Sunday’s match, she has proven that she excels being in that forward position, but it will be interesting to see if she stays there when Ellis is faced with a fully healthy group of forwards. The same can be said for Leroux’s place in the starting XI, although she certainly made the best of the opportunity she was given and made her case for a place in the lineup.
From the first whistle, the team looked very different than in the previous match against Ireland. The U.S. came out with a strong and fast paced attack that challenged Mexico’s defense and goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago early and often. The team put together solid passing combinations and had good ball movement and possession throughout the match. As noted by the broadcast commentary, it did not seem like the match was being played on grass with the speed that the U.S. was pressing forward with.
The first of the major opportunities came in the 14th minute in an intense series of events when Lloyd, Leroux and Brian went racing towards the Mexico goal. Brian sent a solid cross over to Press that was headed over Santiago but was cleared off the line by Alina Garciamendez. Leroux’s rebound was blocked out to Megan Rapinoe who fired a shot off that hit Santiago square in the face. After being headed around in the box, the ball ended up back to Rapinoe who’s shot was saved by Santiago, as she had quickly recovered from the earlier hit.
The U.S. netted the first goal of the match in 28th minute when Rapinoe played a beautiful through ball to Leroux who had been able to remained onside. Leroux drew Santiago out to challenge but was able to dribble around her and shoot the ball from a near impossible angle by the end line to put the U.S. up 1-0.
Mexico, who played better than they have played in quite awhile, was able to find an equalizer before the half on a miscue from Hope Solo (though the U.S. marking on set pieces was fairly unimpressive as well). Mexico found themselves with a free kick about 20 yard outside of the box which Bianca Sierra sent right in front of the goal. Solo came out for it but it was a low ball that she had little chance of getting to and Ariana Calderon was able to head it into the goal and level the score, which would remain even at the half.
The second half saw Lori Chalupny, Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone enter the match and make an immediate impact. Leroux had a shot blocked that Mexico wasn’t able to clear out and landed sort of in between Wambach and Santiago. Neither was able to get good contact on it and Wambach was able to pass it back to Chalupny who slid it in near post to make it 2-1 a mere 30 seconds into the half.
From there the floodgates opened for the U.S. Mexico looked tired and lacked a lot of the organization and solid play they had in the first half. The U.S. was able to capitalize and continue their effectiveness and cohesiveness from the first half to score three more goals on the night.
The first of those goals came from the spot as Arianna Romero handled the ball in the box and Wambach was able to convert the penalty. Sydney Leroux added to her tally in a quite similar fashion as her goal in the first half. Brian played a long ball into Leroux who made a well timed run toward the goal. Santiago came out to challenge, but again Leroux was able to dribble around her and tally her second of the match.
Wambach also managed a brace on an assist from Tobin Heath. Heath, who entered the match in the 62nd minute, received the ball on the edge of the box from Leroux, pulled an amazing move where she faked right and then quickly cut left, completely beating her defender before crossing it over to the head of Wambach who made it 5-1.
Despite the poor finishing and lackluster set piece marking in the first half, this was one of the most solid and completely performances seen from the U.S. in recent matches. The pace, possession, and intensity were right on from start to finish.
A point worth noting is that the U.S. did not abandon the style of play that was successful in the first half at the appearance of Wambach in the second. In the past, they have often moved to a more direct style when Wambach is on the field which has its benefits and successes, but is at times predictable and allows the opposing team to do a better job trying to defend that. In this match against Mexico, the team did a good job integrating Wambach into the existing style of play and did well to combine the good ball movement and solid runs with the strengths that Wambach brings to the pitch.
Even with a scoreline of 5-1 credit to Mexico for playing a solid match, particularly in the first half. Their defense was excellent as well as the few set pieces and offensive opportunities they created. Cecilia Santiago made some incredible saves and the team looks greatly improved from their less than stellar form in the qualifying tournament.
The USWNT takes on Korea Republic in their final match before the Women’s World Cup on Sunday May 30, 2015 at 4:30pm from Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.
