The hits hold coming for the U.S. Ladies’s Nationwide Crew.
After a tough yr, the USWNT lastly appeared prefer it was getting again on its ft with dominant 5-0 and 4-0 wins over the Dominican Republic and Argentina, respectively, to kick off the Gold Cup.
However a gorgeous 2-0 loss to Mexico on Monday in Carson, Calif., has rattled that confidence and the hope the USWNT has turned a nook after its struggles within the 2023 World Cup.
As soon as once more, the issue that plagued the U.S. all through 2023 is on the forefront: scoring. In opposition to Mexico, the U.S. even struggled to get high quality pictures on purpose, ending with 9 pictures and two on course in comparison with 13 pictures with 4 on course for its opponent.
Worse, although, the one a part of its sport the USWNT has trusted — good protection — failed. Monday’s match featured surprising errors as Mexico performed up-tempo and relentlessly towards the USWNT, which could not sustain.
The USWNT is in a generational shift, with veteran gamers akin to Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz retiring, and others, akin to Alex Morgan, having their roles change. Incoming coach Emma Hayes and interim coach Twila Kilgore are bringing extra younger gamers onto the roster. On Monday, nevertheless, the U.S. went with a comparatively veteran lineup, which can have been a mistake.
Veteran defenders Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper and Crystal Dunn struggled towards Mexico’s fast-paced play, with Emily Fox doing her greatest to carry issues down on the aspect. A missed clearance from Sauerbrunn and an ill-advised strategy from goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher — two of essentially the most constant gamers on the group — led to Mexico’s first purpose within the thirty eighth minute.
