USWNT vs. Mexico result: Last-minute goal gives USA win to top group, El Tri finishes last

Kyle Bonn

Simon Borg

USWNT vs. Mexico result: Last-minute goal gives USA win to top group, El Tri finishes last image

The USWNT used a last minute goal to wrap up a perfect group stage in the CONCACAF W Championship, registering a third straight shutout victory after a 1-0 win over hosts Mexico.

The Americans finished top of Group A and advanced to the tournament semifinals against Costa Rica, which finished in second place in Group B. Mexico, which had high hopes for the tournament on home soil, finished in last place in Group A without a single point or goal scored.

U.S. substitute Kristie Mewis got the winning goal in a game that looked destined to finish 0-0. She bundled the ball across the goal line after watching a header by teammate Emily Sonnett saved off the woodwork.

"I think that's what makes the USA really special is that identity of relentlessness, never say die and really willing it in. Luckily, tonight the ball bounced in our favor," U.S. captain Becky Sauerbrunn told Paramount+ postgame. 

MORE: USWNT player ratings from late win vs. Mexico

Mexico was hoping to redeem itself with a victory against its rivals in front of the largest crowd of the tournament, and they put forth a spirited display, buoyed by a handful of changes made by under-fire manager Monica Vergara. Goalkeeper Itzel Gonzalez was one of those new faces and she stood out with her sure-handed play in net up until conceding the goal.

"I want to give credit to Mexico," U.S. manager Vlatko Andonovski said in a postgame press conference. "I thought they were very motivated. They were fighting. I wouldn't say that they were better than us, but they were definitely making it very hard for us."

The USWNT had the best chances in a match that didn't feature many of them. Winger Midge Purce hit the woodwork in the first half and Lindsey Horan sent a point-blank shot right at the 'keeper on a service from Purce. The chances dried up in the second half while a host of subs were introduced by both sides. 

And just as Mexico was beginning to increase its scoring threat in the second half, a straight red card shown to Jacqueline Ovalle in the 71st minute erased any momentum for the home team. The VAR flagged the incident as Ovalle sent her studs into Rose Lavelle's ankle in a stomach-turning play. Lavelle recovered from the challenge and played out the remainder of the match.

If the USA can get past Costa Rica in the semifinals, the defending World Cup champs would likely face off against Olympic champions Canada in the final on Monday, July 18. Canada will first need to overcome Jamaica in the other semifinal.

"Costa Rica have got special players. My Portland teammate 'Rocky' Rodriguez, I think she's really special. So I think they've got some great players," Sauerbrunn said. "We're going to have to be defensively sound and put some goals away."

 MORE: Standings, results, highlights from CONCACAF W Championship

Group A final standings

Team GP Pts W-L-D GD
1. USA-X 3 9 3-0-0 +9
2. Jamaica-X 3 6 2-1-0 0
3. Haiti-Y 3 3 1-2-0 -4
4. Mexico 3 0 0-3-0 -5

X = Qualified to semifinals, clinched 2023 World Cup berth
Y = Clinched 2023 World Cup intercontinental playoff berth

USWNT vs. Mexico final score

  1H 2H Final
USA 0 1 1
Mexico 0 0 0

Goals:
USA — Kristie Mewis — 89th min.

USWNT vs. Mexico live updates, highlights from CONCACAF W Championship

Final: USWNT 1, Mexico 0

89th min.: USA scores! An Emily Sonnett header is saved off the woodwork and Kristie Mewis is there to bundle the ball across the line. But the VAR is taking a long look at it for a potential offside on Sonnett. No offside. The goal stands!

87th min.: Best chance of the half for Mexico! Left back Jimena Lopez takes a shot on goal and USWNT goalkeeper Casey Murphy is forced to make the stop. Moments later, Murphy is called into action again.

84th min.: MEXICO SUB — Joseline Montoya into the match for Maria Sanchez. Mexico, down to 10 players, only needs a goal to clinch third place and a trip to the World Cup intercontinental playoffs.

80th min.: USA SUB — After Alex Morgan's touch on a Megan Rapinoe corner nearly put the USWNT up 1-0, Morgan makes way for 6-foot-1 Taylor Kornieck, who will play at center forward.

71st min.: MEXICO SUBS — Bianca Sierra and Maricarmen Reyes are into the game as Mexico makes one final attacking push despite the numerical disadvantage.

71st min.: RED CARD for Jacqueline Ovalle who was on the field for just 10 minutes. She applied a gruesome tackle on Rose Lavelle, sending her studs into Lavelle's ankle. The VAR signaled this one, the referee looked at it on the monitor, and went to the back pocket. Mexico down to 10 players.

68th min.: YELLOW CARD — Mexico's Alexia Delgado gets a caution card for stopping a promising attack with a hand ball.

64th min.: USA SUBS — Megan Rapinoe (for Sophia Smith), Rose Lavelle (for Lindsey Horan), Sofia Huerta (for Kelley O'Hara), and Kristie Mewis (for Andi Sullivan) all enter the game.

61st min.: MEXICO SUBS — As Mexico 'keeper Itzel Gonzalez continues to be sure-handed in goal with two stops in a matter of minutes, Mexico brings in its first two subs: forward Diana Ordonez for Alicia Cervantes, and Jacqueline Ovalle for Carolina Jaramillo in midfield.

56th min.: USA right back Kelley O'Hara lets fly from distance in a hopeful effort. The Mexican defending has been solid, the Mexico attack less so.

49th min.: USA's Lindsey Horan takes a knee to the back from Mexico goalkeeper Itzel Gonzalez after chasing a ball that made its way into the Mexico box.

46th min.: Second half is underway. No subs for either side.

Halftime: Mexico 0, USWNT 0

Halftime: This was a spirited performance by a Mexican side that many believed would not be able to compete with the No. 1-ranked USWNT. Although the Americans had the best opportunities — Midge Purce hit the post and Lindsey Horan sent a great chance right at the 'keeper — the Mexican side is still in this game with the largest crowd of the tournament on hand to see if they can pull off the miracle and finish in third place. That would be enough to clinch a spot in the World Cup intercontinental playoff.

43rd min.: Big chance for the USA! Midge Purce wreaking havoc again down the right and her cross reaches Lindsey Horan, who sends a wide-open shot in the box right at the 'keeper!

40th min.: Mexico 'keeper Itzel Gonzalez commits her first real error, pushing a Midge Purce cross right to Sophia Smith out left, and Smith fires it back toward goal, but it's off the mark.

34th min.: Mexico defender Cristina Ferral gets a yellow card for stopping a promising attacking sequence after she brought down Midge Purce, who's causing issues in 1-v-1 battles.

30th min.: The Mexican side has settled in and the USA has been limited to a couple of set pieces floated into the box. Lindsey Horan got her head to one of them, but Mexico 'keeper Itzel Gonzalez has been up to the task so far.

16th min.: USWNT hits the post! Kelley O'Hara sends a ball over the top and into the box for Midge Purce, who gains a step on her defender and pings a diagonal shot off the left post. Purce did well to peel off the defender and create space for herself. 

11th min.: USWNT's Andi Sullivan takes three corner kicks over a short span of minutes, but Mexico goalkeeper Itzel Gonzalez punches one away and catches another. She's up for this match.

5th min.: Mexico center back Cristina Ferral looks shaky with two early giveaways, but the USWNT can't take advantage. Meanwhile, on the other end, Stephany Mayor takes the first shot for Mexico, but it goes wide right.

1st min.: We're off. And it's a fascinating rivalry match with Mexico's national team coach facing significant pressure.

5 mins to kick: Anthems are out of the way at El Volcan (Estadio Universitario).

120 mins to kick: Former Mexico international Sofia Huerta will face her old teammates as she suits up for the United States tonight on the bench. Huerta, born in Boise, Idaho, made five appearances for Mexico, eligible to play for them via her father who is Mexican-born. However, she knew she wanted to play for the United States if given the opportunity.

"I loved playing for Mexico, but deep down I knew the U.S. was the ultimate dream," Huerta said. "I thought that I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't try [to play for the United States."

"It was just a lot of years where I wasn't getting called in, and a hard decision to decline invitations from Mexico, but three years later once I got the first call-in in 2017 under Jill [Ellis], I just knew. She had brought to my attention that this was a one-time switch and I wouldn't be able to go back, and I said 'that's fine, I've been sitting waiting for three years' so I had a lot of time to sit on this decision."

USWNT vs. Mexico lineups

In his pre-match press conference, head coach Vlatko Andonovski said there would be changes to the starting lineup against Mexico. Goalkeeper Casey Murphy earns the start ahead of veteran Alyssa Naeher, and rookie center back Naomi Girma retained her place in the lineup after an excellent showing against Jamaica.

Ashley Hatch played well against Jamaica, but Alex Morgan comes back into the lineup at center forward. In midfield, entrenched starter Rose Lavelle begins the match on the bench as Ashley Sanchez gets the nod.

USWNT starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 18-Casey Murphy (GK) — 14-Emily Sonnett, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 12-Naomi Girma, 5-Kelley O’Hara — 10-Lindsey Horan, 17-Andi Sullivan, 2-Ashley Sanchez — 11-Sophia Smith, 13-Alex Morgan, 23-Midge Purce,

USWNT subs (12): 1-Alyssa Naeher (GK), 21-Aubrey Kingsbury (GK), 19-Emily Fox, 3-Alana Cook, 8-Sofia Huerta, 16-Rose Lavelle, 22-Kristie Mewis, 20-Taylor Kornieck, 15-Megan Rapinoe, 9-Mal Pugh, 6-Trinity Rodman, 7-Ashley Hatch

MORE: Sophia Smith shows glimpse of potential stardom in glittering display

The Mexico attack has been anemic this tournament, but there's little else head coach Monica Vergara can do. She's given a chance for several players to make an impact, but with no one stepping up, she will rely on Maria Sanchez, Alicia Cervantes and Stephany Mayor against the USA.

Greta Espinoza was sent off last time out against Haiti, meaning she will be unavailable due to suspension. Along the back, defender Rebeca Bernal, who started each of the last two matches, has withdrawn from the squad due to injury. It will be Cristina Ferral and Casandra Montero at center back. 

Mexico starting lineup (4-5-1, left to right): 12-Itzel Gonzalez (GK) — 5-Jimena Lopez, 14-Casandra Montero, 15-Cristina Ferral, 2-Kenti Robles — 11-Maria Sanchez, 8-Carolina Jaramillo, 6-Alexia Delgado, 20-Diana Garcia, 10-Stephany Mayor — 19-Alicia Cervantes

Mexico subs (12): 1-Emily Alvarado (GK), 21-Melany Villeda (GK), 3-Greta Espinoza, 4-Rebeca Bernal, 13-Bianca Sierra, 7-Myra Delgadillo, 16-Nancy Antonio, 23-Maricarmen Reyes, 17-Jacqueline Ovalle, 18-Joseline Montoya, 9-Katty Martinez, 22-Diana Ordonez

USWNT vs Mexico TV channel, live stream

  • Date: Monday, July 11
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: None
  • Streaming: Paramount+, ViX

The USWNT’s final match in Group A of the CONCACAF W Championship from the Estadio Universitario in Monterrey will be streamed exclusively on CBS platform Paramount+. Univision streaming service ViX will also carry the match for Spanish-language audiences.

tag your current vibe 👇 pic.twitter.com/k3YDGUEBQk

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 9, 2022

USWNT vs. Mexico betting odds & lines

After succeeding as -475 favorites against Jamaica, the United States women continue as heavy favorites (-5000) against a struggling Mexico side that has found a hard time scoring. Despite that, 4.5 goals is the mark to beat in this game, and the United States will look to hit that on its own to push towards the knockout stage in dominant style.

  Sports Interaction
USA Win -5000
Draw +1200
Mexico Win +3400
Both teams
to score Y / N
N/A
Over / Under
4.5 goals
-123 / -108
USA -3.5 -130
Mexico +3.5 -103

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.