CARSON — Games between the USWNT and Mexico have been called a rivalry.
But the Americans had won 40 of the 42 previous meetings, so rivalry often felt like a significant stretching of the definition. However, moments like Monday night could go a long way toward making it truly a rivalry.
Mexico, thanks to a first-half goal from Lizbeth Ovalle and a late golazo from Mayra Pelayo, handed their border rivals a 2-0 defeat in front of 11,612 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The win is not only a seismic one across the women’s soccer landscape, but it also vaulted Mexico (2-0-1, seven points) to first place in Group A, leaving the USWNT (2-1-0, six points) in second. Both teams will advance to the quarterfinals of the 12-team tournament.
“They were bold,” Mexico coach Pedro Lopez Ramos said. “That was a spectacular match. This is great for the Gold Cup, the fans and everyone watching.”
It was the first loss by the USWNT to any CONCACAF opponent since Nov. 11, 2000, snapping an 80-match winning streak.
The first goal might have come off of a mistake, but it was deserved for Mexico. U.S. defender Becky Sauerbrunn’s failed clearance landed in Ovalle’s path and after avoiding USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, Ovalle chipped the ball from just inside the 18-yard box for the goal.
It was the first goal conceded by the U.S. to a CONCACAF opponent in 33 matches.
“I think it just shows how far the game is coming and there’s no easy games anymore. And if we don’t take care of business and we don’t execute, this is to be expected,” U.S. under interim coach Twila Kilgore said. “We’ll step up and take ownership in that and I think anytime you have a group that is willing to take ownership in things like this, it’s a good thing for the future of the tournament. Everything’s still on the table and we’ll be motivated, that’s for sure.”
Mexico nearly made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time but Karla Nieto’s long-range blast hit the…
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