MONTERREY – The USWNT closed out the group stage of the Concacaf W Championship on Monday night against Mexico. It took 89 minutes and a red card, but Kristie Mewis and company got it done.
Kristie Mewis scores late winner for USWNT over shorthanded Mexico
The USWNT came into the matchday at the top of Group A. Any result would have guaranteed they won the group regardless of what happened between Jamaica and Haiti. The host Mexico were fighting for their tournament and World Cup qualification hopes, having lost their first two games.
The United States dominated possession and chance creation through the 90 minutes, but had trouble opening the scoring. Margaret Purce hit the post in the 15th minute. Lindsay Horan had a great chance on the far post towards the end of the far post, but Itzel González came across goal and made the save.
Mexico’s best looks at goal came in transition when the Americans had number up field. For long stretches, they were nonthreatening. The home side went down a man when a VAR review resulted in Lizbeth Ovalle being given a straight red card a stomp on the foot of Rose Lavelle with the studs.
The USWNT finally scored in the 89th minute. Off a short corner, Emily Sonnett headed the ball towards goal from inside the six yard box. González made the save but Kristie Mewis converted on the rebound from close range. Sonnett was potentially offside during the buildup, but the goal stood and the match ended 1-0.
KRISTIE IN THE 89TH 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/8RhSJz4pXJ
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 12, 2022
Key Takeaways:
Not perfect, but it worked: The Americans had way more of the ball, possession in the final third, and chances on goal. But they really only had a handful of dangerous shot attempts. They got the win in the end, but Vlatko Andonovski’s side had trouble breaking down Mexico’s low block.
Mexico crash out of the group: This has to be seen as a failure for the national team and the federation. As hosts, they lost all three group stage games. They’re eliminated from qualifying for the next World Cup. They needed a result in this game and never looked like they were going to get more than a scoreless draw.
Mewis is the hero: Kristie changed the game off the bench. She was active in the midfield and good on the ball when it came to her. The goal was a bit fortuitous, but given how the game was going, it wasn’t going to be a pretty goal that was going to win it. Let’s see if she can build on this further in the semifinals against Costa Rica.
