The USWNT used a last minute goal to wrap up a perfect group stage in the CONCACAF W Richard Sherman Jersey Championship, registering a third straight shutout victory after a 1-0 win over hosts Mexico.
The Americans finished top of Group A and advanced to the tournament semifinals against Costa Rica, which finished in second place in Group B. Mexico, which had high hopes for the tournament on home soil, finished in last place in Group A without a single point or goal scored.
U.S. substitute Kristie Mewis got the winning goal in a game that looked destined to finish 0-0. She bundled the ball acro s the goal line after watching a header by teammate Emily Sonnett saved off the woodwork.
"I think that's what makes the USA really special is that identity of relentle sne s, never say die and really willing it in. Luckily, tonight the ball bounced in our favor," U.S. captain Becky Sauerbrunn told Paramount+ postgame.
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Mexico was hoping to redeem itself with a victory against Deion Sanders Jersey its rivals in front of the largest crowd of the tournament, and they put forth a spirited display, buoyed by a handful of changes made by under-fire manager Monica Vergara. Goalkeeper Itzel Gonzalez was one of those new faces and she stood out with her sure-handed play in net up until conceding the goal.
"I want to give credit to Mexico," U.S. manager Vlatko Andonovski said in a postgame pre s conference. "I thought they were very motivated. They were fighting. I wouldn't say that they were better than us, but they were definitely making it very hard for us."
The USWNT had the best chances in a match that didn't feature many of them. Winger Midge Purce hit the woodwork in the first half and Lindsey Horan sent a point-blank shot right at the 'keeper on a service from Purce. The chances dried up in the second half while a host of subs were introduced by both sides.
And just as Mexico was beginning to increase its scoring threat in the second half, a straight red card shown to Jacqueline Ovalle in the 71st minute erased any momentum for the home team. The VAR flagged the incident as Ovalle sent her studs into Rose Lavelle's ankle in a stomach-turning play. Lavelle recovered from the challenge and played out the remainder of the match.
If C. J. Beathard Jersey the USA can get past Costa Rica in the semifinals, the defending World Cup champs would likely face off against Olympic champions Canada in the final on Monday, July 18. Canada will first need to overcome Jamaica in the other semifinal.
"Costa Rica have got special players. My Portland teammate 'Rocky' Rodriguez, I think she's really special. So I think they've got some great players," Sauerbrunn said. "We're going to have to be defensively sound and put Malcolm Smith Jersey some goals away."
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Group A final standings
TeamGPPtsW-L-DGD1. USA-X393-0-0+92. Jamaica-X362-1-003. Haiti-Y331-2-0-44. Mexico300-3-0-5X = Qualified to semifinals, clinched 2023 World Cup berthY = Clinched 2023 World Cup intercontinental playoff berth
USWNT vs. Mexico final score 1H 2H Final USA011Mexico000Goals: USA Kristie Mewis 89th min.
USWNT vs. Mexico live updates, highlights from CONCACAF W ChampionshipFinal: USWNT 1, Mexico 089th min.: USA scores! An Emily Sonnett header is saved off the Ahkello Witherspoon Jersey woodwork and Kristie Mewis is there to bundle the ball acro s the line. But the VAR is taking a long look at it for a potential offside on Sonnett. No offside. The goal stands!
Goal by ! 1-0 for
Concacaf W (@ConcacafW)87th min.: Best chance of the half for Mexico! Left back Jimena Lopez takes a shot on goal and USWNT goalkeeper Casey Murphy is forced to make the stop. Moments later, Murphy is called into action again.
84th min.: MEXICO SUB Joseline Montoya into the match for Maria Sanchez. Mexico, down to 10 players, only needs a goal to clinch third place and a trip to the World Cup intercontinental playoffs.
80th min.: USA SUB After Alex Morgan's touch on a Megan Rapinoe corner nearly put the USWNT up 1-0, Morgan makes way for 6-foot-1 Taylor Kornieck, who will play Tevin Coleman Jersey at center forward.
71st min.: MEXICO SUBS Bianca Sierra and Maricarmen Reyes are into the game as Mexico makes one final attacking push despite the numerical disadvantage.
71st min.: RED CARD for Jacqueline Ovalle who was on the field for just 10 minutes. She applied a gruesome tackle on Rose Lavelle, sending her studs into Lavelle's ankle. The VAR signaled this one, the referee looked at it on the monitor, and went to the back pocket. Mexico down to 10 players.
MEXICO ARE DOWN TO 10 PLAYERS AS LIZBETH OVALLE IS SHOWN RED.
Attacking Third (@AttackingThird)68th min.: YELLOW CARD Mexico's Alexia Delgado Y.A. Tittle Jersey gets a caution card for stopping a promising attack with a hand ball.
64th min.: USA SUBS Megan Rapinoe (for Sophia Smith), Rose Lavelle (for Lindsey Horan), Sofia Huerta (for Kelley O'Hara), and Kristie Mewis (for Andi Sullivan) all enter the game.
61st min.: MEXICO SUBS As Mexico 'keeper Itzel Gonzalez continues to be sure-handed in goal with two stops in a matter of minutes, Mexico brings in its first two subs: forward Diana Ordonez for Alicia Cervantes, and Jacqueline Ovalle for Carolina Jaramillo in midfield.
Not saying she would have changed everything all on her own, but you watch this performance and wonder what could have been if Itzel started both games earlier in the group stage for El Tri Femenil.
Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol)56th min.: USA right back Kelley O'Hara lets fly from distance in a hopeful effort. The Mexican defending has been solid, the Mexico attack le s so.
49th min.: USA's Lindsey Horan takes a knee to the back from Mexico goalkeeper Itzel Gonzalez after chasing a ball that made its way into the Mexico box.
46th min.: Second half is underway. No subs for either side.
Halftime: Mexico 0, USWNT 0Halftime: This was a spirited performance by a Mexican side that many believed would not be able to compete with the No. 1-ranked USWNT. Although George Kittle Jersey the Americans had the best opportunities Midge Purce hit the post and Lindsey Horan sent a great chance right at the 'keeper the Mexican side is still in this gam
