Pre Match Notes

It is the final test run before the U.S. Women’s National Team sets off to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The UWNT is in a tough group with Australia, Germany, and Zambia. This match against Mexico is likely going to be a good challenge for the U.S., since Mexico was able to win against the U.S. in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup Group Stage, earlier this year. It was an interesting match because some of the U.S. players afterwards admitted to not performing their best, and thinking Mexico would not challenge them.

When it comes to this meeting, friendly or not, Mexico is going to put up a fight. They’re going to challenge the U.S. for control and possession, and they will be able to get forward especially with attacking players like, María Sánchez, Jacqueline Ovalle, Kiana Palacios, and Diana Ordóñez, who much like Sánchez, plays in the NWSL. The U.S. backline is going to be put to the test, as Mexico will likely be applying pressure to both the midfield and backline. There needs to be a strong response to Mexico’s counterattacks and transitions, as well as good support in the defense from the rest of the team.

The U.S. is needing to maintain control of the midfield as much as possible, in addition to making sure there is a good balance between offensive and defensive play. This is where Korbin Albert and Sam Coffey will be needing to provide some of that support and stability. With Emma Hayes now at the helm, we’re likely to see good pace, movement, touches, and connection between the midfield and attack. It’s something that we got to see in the U.S.’s friendlies against South Korea last month.

Articles for the South Korea friendlies here, and here.

The U.S. attack will be able to get forward with players like Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Catarina Macario* and Jaedyn Shaw. These players will be able to create chances and support one another in the attack. However, it’s also going to come down to the team’s chemistry and whether they’ll be able to connect where it counts, and finish their chances.

*Note: Catarina Macario has pulled out of the Olympic Camp due to consistent irritation in her right knee. Lynn Williams has been called up in her place.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Alyssa Naeher in the goal. For defenders, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, and Jenna Nighswonger. For midfielders, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, and Sam Coffey. For forwards, Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman.

Substitutes: Korbin Albert, Casey Murphy, Casey Krueger, Crystal Dunn, Lynn Williams, Emily Sonnett, Jaedyn Shaw, Hal Hershfelt, Croix Bethune, Emily Sams, and Jane Campbell.

Overall, it’s a good line up. I’m looking forward to this attacking line of Lavelle, Swanson, Smith, and Rodman. I’m expecting to see a lot of quick pace and movement in the attack, in addition to good connection in the attack. Chemistry is still something the U.S. may be needing to work on, but it could improve in the upcoming days and leading up to the Olympics. Breaking through Mexico’s defense may not be the easiest thing to do, however, if the U.S. can maintain their pressure and pace, they should be able to find their way through.

As mentioned previously, there needs to be good control, possession and movement in the midfield. We can expect to see Mexico applying pressure to the U.S. in the midfield and backline, but hopefully the team will be able to recognize the pressure, and get out of those situations. As for the defense and backline, Girma, Fox, Davidson, and Nighswonger have been consistently good in backline; however, Nighswonger needs to defend the left wing better, since that has been a weak spot for the U.S., albeit, just a minor one.

First Half Notes

USWNT 0-0.

Overall, it’s not a bad first half performance from the U.S. I was really impressed with the backline and defense. Despite having a few close calls here and there, Girma, Davidson, Nighswonger, and Fox were on top of things. Coffey in the midfield was also doing well. She was challenging players, regaining possession, and making recoveries. It’s great to see that aggressiveness and presence from her.

As for the rest of the midfield, there has been good control and possession from the U.S. Mexico has been able to get on the ball a few times; however the U.S. is doing well defensively, when it comes to recoveries. They’re handling Mexico’s attack way better than previously expected.

As for the attack, the U.S. is getting forward. They’re finding their way through Mexico’s backline and defense, and have been able to get behind the backline pretty well. We’re seeing good movement, touches, and connection between the midfield and attack, but the problem comes when the U.S. gets into the box. Despite having support and connecting well on build-up plays, the attack needs to figure out how to score goals.

Second Half and Closing Notes

USWNT Wins 1-0.

Goal Scorers for the U.S.: Smith (1).

A combination play between Rodman, Swanson and Smith would find its way into the goal, courtesy of Smith.

Overall, this was a good performance from the U.S. Mexico did get forward a few times in the second half, but for the most part, the U.S. was able to maintain control and possession, especially as the game started to wind down. I expected Mexico to be more assertive with their pressure, but after the U.S. scored, there wasn’t much fight from Mexico, and the U.S. would end the game in complete control.

The U.S. backline looked great in this match. There were moments where Mexico was threatening and dangerous, however Girma, Nighswonger, Davidson, and Fox were up for the challenge. The backline did well when it came to organization, recoveries, and stopping Mexico’s attack. The same could also be said for Coffey as well.

When it comes to the attack, there was great connection between Swanson, Rodman, and Smith. Chemistry between those three looked all right, and we could see more improvement in the attack in the upcoming days. The attacking line of Swanson, Rodman, and Smith has the potential to be very dangerous. Those three created plenty of chances for one another, and had many opportunities to score; however, the U.S. needs to work on finishing. Hopefully, this is something the team figures out, preferably before (or during) the Olympics.