México held firm for most of the match but fell apart in the end, losing to their northern neighbors 4-0 in the first of a two game series. Christen Press had a brace, while Samantha Mewis and Tobin Heath each contributed one.
Both teams came out fairly even, with México playing rather conservatively and the US pressing. México was able to get some good possession early, using María Sánchez down the left flank to press forward. The US mainly seemed interested in sending long balls over the top, most of which were well-read by the Mexican defense. México’s first shot was in the sixth minute when Rebeca Bernal teed one up from distance that went well over the goal. The US’s first shot came in the 11th minute when Megan Rapinoe hit one from distance, but it too was well high of the goal.
The US had a decent opportunity in the 16th when Jocelyn Orejel played the ball off of Lindsey Horan, but Horan’s cross went to absolutely no one and the defense was able to clear before any danger was presented. In the 19th México got a good ball in from deep but Alyssa Naeher was able to come off of her line and snag the ball before it found the head of Stephany Mayor. Unfortunately at the other end Samantha Mewis was able to get a good pass on the ground and fired a shot that deflected off of Jimena López and into the corner of the net in the 21st minute.
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) July 2, 2021
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
Samantha Mewis recibe y define con un potente derechazo
¡En vivo! https://t.co/L93vWwvVke
#TriplePasiónPorTUDN I #PasiónYOrgullo I #EllasEnTUDN pic.twitter.com/7SAJJg3WYc
As the match went on, the rain became heavier and heavier. México was able to win a corner kick in the 26th minute but no real chances resulted from it. In the 30th minute Rapinoe hit a pass into Alex Morgan, who chipped the ball and started her celebration before the ball clattered off of the post and out of danger. In the 34th, México had a great chance when María Sánchez went in on goal, but Abby Dahlkemper was able to block her shot and concede the corner. In the 36th Mewis had another look at goal but the ball wound up going wide. The US would score again in the 38th when Christen Press was left unattended on a break and got the tap-in to double the lead.
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) July 2, 2021
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
Pelota al espacio, Rapinoe mete diagonal matona y Press la manda guardar
¡En vivo! https://t.co/Q7fLirGA46
#TriplePasiónPorTUDN I #PasiónYOrgullo I #EllasEnTUDN pic.twitter.com/t18FSns0Ng
The second half started off rather quiet, thanks mostly to the torrential rains. María Sánchez had the first good chance of the second half when she hit a shot from distance but Adriana Franch was able to see the ball the entire way and was able to hang on to it. The US had their first good chance of the half when Crystal Dunn made a run and hit a cross into the box, but Alex Morgan’s shot missed its target.
In the 62nd minute there was a bit of controversy when Samantha Mewis drove into the box and attempted a cross, but it hit a Mexican defender. The US players appealed for a handball but no call was made and play continued. In the 64th, Crystal Dunn had a great go at goal but Emily Alvarado made a fantastic diving save to push her shot wide. In the 72nd, a giveaway by Karina Rodríguez lead to a Megan Rapinoe shot that hit off of the post. After Rapinoe was subbed out for Tobin Heath, heath hit a long range shot that beat Alvarado to make it 3-0.
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) July 2, 2021
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
Primera pelota que toca Tobin Heath se convierte en gol ¡3-0!
¡En vivo! https://t.co/Q7fLirGA46
#TriplePasiónPorTUDN I #PasiónYOrgullo I #EllasEnTUDN pic.twitter.com/EGu5L9V9DX
In the 75th minute Press took a shot from distance that Alvarado had to dive to push away. Alvarado stopped a shot from Catarina Macario in the 82nd minute, seeing it the entire way and presenting safe hands. In the 84th minute though Press would get her second on a deft touch on a good ball in from Tierna Davidson to notch the fourth goal of the evening.
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) July 2, 2021
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
⚽ ¡Goool de @USWNT!
Christen Press anticipa la marca y sella su doblete ⚽⚽
¡En vivo! https://t.co/Q7fLirGA46
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The match was settled and the teams were rather conservative in the remaining minutes. The rematch will be played on July 5th, again at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut.
United States: Alyssa Naeher (Adriana Franch, 46’); Crystal Dunn (Tierna Davidson, 78’), Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper, Kelley O’Hara (Emily Sonnett, 72’); Kristie Mewis (Catarina Macario, 72’), Lindsey Horan, Samantha Mewis; Megan Rapinoe (Tobin Heath, 72’), Alex Morgan (Carli Lloyd, 78’), Christen Press
Tonight’s Starting XI to kick off the #SendOffSeries pres. by @Visa! ⚽️
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 1, 2021
Lineup notes https://t.co/rFIAOKV0OO pic.twitter.com/8XrdfPkqC8
México: Emily Alvarado; Bianca Sierra, Karina Rodríguez, Jocelyn Orejel, Jimena López (Nicole Pérez, 82’); Rebeca Bernal, Nancy Antonio, Daniela Espinosa (Jackie Ovalle, 56’); María Sánchez, Stephany Mayor, Kiana Palacios
#Women | Our lineup for today's match !!!
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) July 1, 2021
VAMOS!!!!!!! #PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol pic.twitter.com/ZMeOVlaCCX
Scoring: United States - Samantha Mewis (21’), Christen Press (39’, 84’), Tobin Heath (74’); México - None
Disciplinary: United States - None; México - None