HARRISON, N.J. – The United States women’s soccer national team looked the part against Mexico in the first of two pre-Olympics friendly matches, but it took until the second half was well underway for the scoreboard to reflect it.
In the 64th minute, the U.S. – and forward Sophia Smith – finally broke through.
Racing down the right side of the field with possession after fielding a perfect through ball from Rose Lavelle, Trinity Rodman approached the box and swung it to a waiting Mallory Swanson in front. Swanson peeked to her left and dropped it to Smith, who calmly controlled it with her left foot, evaded a defender and buried it with her right foot into the right side of the net.
Smith’s strike proved to be the difference as Team USA defeated Mexico, 1-0, in front of a sellout crowd of 26,376 at Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon.
“I was really happy for Soph,” said U.S. coach Emma Hayes, who improved to 3-0 at the helm.
Smith had eight shots, including five on target.
“We lost a little patience in the final third,” Smith said. “… I mean, one touch too many, one pass too many. Me personally, I should have finished a few more chances to put it away to begin with.”
The U.S., in search of its first gold medal since 2012 and fifth overall, will play one more friendly Tuesday night against Costa Rica in Washington, D.C., before traveling to Paris for the Olympics.
The Americans open the Summer Games against Zambia on July 25. They will also play Germany on July 28 and Australia on July 31 as part of Group B round-robin play.
Despite a fast start that featured three shots in the first four minutes, the U.S. could not convert any of its eight first-half attempts, four of which were on goal.
The Americans outshot Mexico, 17-3, overall and put six shots on goal.
Rockville Centre’s Crystal Dunn, who will play in her third Olympics with the U.S., did not start but entered the game in the 65th minute.
“This is obviously my hometown,” Dunn said. “It’s so incredibly amazing to see so many fans showing up. It goes to show you how far this game has grown. They weathered the heat, it’s hot out there … always a privilege to just be able to play in front of these amazing fans.”
Seven of the American starters were in the lineup of a 2-0 loss to Mexico on Feb. 26 in group play of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup, which the Americans ultimately won. The February loss snapped a 16-game win streak for the U.S. over Mexico, but Saturday’s result improved Team USA to 41-2-1 all-time against its neighboring nation.
Saturday also represented the “Impact 99 Legacy Match” for the U.S., celebrating the 25-year anniversary of the 1999 World Cup victory. All 20 members of that team were in attendance – including Shannon MacMillan, who was born in Syosset – and were honored on the field pregame.
“Obviously the ‘99ers are here, and we’re coming out of the warmup and they’re lining the hallways and it’s just like your heroes,” midfielder Sam Coffey said. “Just like one after another after another.”
