USA 1-0 Mexico Match Analysis (July 13, 2024)

Sophia Smith scored in the 64th minute and the United States avenged its loss to Mexico earlier this year with a 1-0 win in the return match on Saturday.

The friendly at Red Bull Arena was the first of two warm-up matches for the United States ahead of the 2024 Olympics. The Americans will play Costa Rica on Tuesday at Audi Stadium in Washington before departing for France.

Mexico beat the United States for only the second time ever in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup in late February. Lizbeth Ovalle and Mayra Pelayo scored in Mexico’s 2-0 win.

On Saturday, the United States had the better chances in the first half but were unable to penetrate the opposition defense. Smith, Lindsay Horan and Sam Coffey had several chances in front of the Mexican goal before halftime but were unable to score.

But in the second half, Trinity Rodman passed the ball to Mallory Swanson, who looked set to shoot, but instead passed it to Smith for her 20th career goal. Smith almost scored a second in the 73rd minute, but her effort hit the near post.

“We have dynamic players up front and I think we can create in a lot of ways,” Smith said. “I should have scored more goals at the start and I hold myself to a higher standard than that. I think I want more, we can definitely score more, but it shows the different ways we create and work together.”

The United States have not conceded a goal in three matches under new coach Emma Hayes.

The game celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 99ers, the team that won the 1999 Women’s World Cup at the Rose Bowl, and was the first time all 20 players from the team were together.

Alyssa Naeher, the captain of the U.S. team on Saturday, was honored on the field before the game for making her 100th appearance for the national team. She received the cap in March.

“It means a lot to me,” Naher said. “I’ve been around this scene for a long time and I think just to see this week with the 99ers here, playing with some of these players, and now getting the opportunity to play with the next generation is just amazing and special to me.”

Lynn Williams entered the game in the 75th minute. Williams was originally one of four reserves on the 18-player U.S. Olympic roster, but forward Catarina Macario was unable to play in France due to a knee irritation. Hayes announced Friday that Williams will replace Macario.

Croix-Python made her debut for the U.S. national team in the 81st minute.