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The United States women’s national team defeated Mexico 1-0 on Saturday in a friendly ahead of the USWNT’s 2024 Olympics campaign. While the U.S. secured the victory, something they failed to do against Mexico in the W Gold Cup earlier this year, there’s still plenty of work to be done.
Finishing was perhaps the biggest issue for the USWNT on Saturday as they kept getting into promising positions in front of goal but couldn’t find the net. The U.S. recorded 17 shots, six on target and should've scored more than the one.
Sophia Smith in particular had a litany of chances to score but either put it wide, hit the post or put it right to Mexico’s goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras.
Smith is usually clinical in front of net with 10 goals in 14 appearances for the Portland Thorns this season, however she wasn’t nearly as consistent on Saturday. She did finally net the game’s sole goal in the 64th minute.
Sophia Smith makes it look easy
USWNT break the deadlock against Mexico!Watch live on TNT, truTV and Max pic.twitter.com/8z3IkhpRBn
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 13, 2024
She’s more than capable of scoring, but just wasn’t lethal enough against Mexico. Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman also had a look or two at goal but didn’t have their shooting boots on.
Another area of concern at points was the USWNT trying to beat Mexico’s press. Mexico challenged the U.S. with a physical style of play and were aggressive pressing. The USWNT had a number of turnovers in possession in their own third.
That will be something USWNT head coach Emma Hayes will need to work on with the team.
The starting midfield three of Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle and Sam Coffey took some time to get going and looked lackluster at points. Horan wasn’t as effective as we’ve seen in the past.
Smith’s goal saved the USWNT from a worrying draw.
To be fair, the other members of the USWNT’s Olympic group (Germany, Australia and Zambia) all struggled this weekend.
Germany suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat to Iceland in women’s Euro qualifying on Friday. Australia fell 2-1 to Canada on Saturday and Zambia drew 1-1 with Oceania’s New Zealand.
It seems all four teams in Group B are working out the kinks ahead of Paris.
The USWNT will have one final tune-up game against Costa Rica on Tuesday before opening their Olympic campaign against Zambia on July 25.
USWNT vs Mexico highlights
