USWNT: 3 things from goal-filled win over Mexico

It was a match filled with goals, milestones, and debuts as the United States Women’s National Team defeated Mexico on Sunday afternoon.

The first half against Mexico may have been one of the more wild and entertaining opening halves in recent memory for the USWNT. Six goals were scored in what was a back and forth goal-fest.

Just like Thursday’s match, Mallory Pugh opened the scoring early on in the sixth minute. Megan Rapinoe played a perfect through ball to the forward and she finished the opportunity for her fourth goal of 2018.

Mexico would go on to score two goals to shock the U.S. Monica Ocampo and Kiana Angélica Palacios Hernández scored seven minutes apart to make it 2-1.

The away sides lead lasted briefly as Lindsey Horan scored just a minute later to equalize for the USWNT.

Two more goals would come later in the second half with Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan producing goals to give the U.S. a 4-2 lead at halftime.

Rapinoe and Morgan would add goals in the second half to secure the win for the USWNT as it finished 6-2.

In addition to the goals, there were four debuts for some of the younger players coming up in the system. Former Mexico U-20 player Sofia Huerta played her first match for the U.S. and Haley Hanson, Hallie Mace, and Tegan McGrady made their first appearances as well.

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Here are three things that stood out in the win for the USWNT.

3. Offense picks up where it left off

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Just three nights prior, the USWNT put four goals past Mexico and they continued their dominance with six more on Sunday.

It was the usual suspects from Thursday night’s win having an impact in this one. Morgan recorded her second consecutive multi-goal game to extend her total in 2018 to five goals in six appearances. In total, she has scored 12 goals in her last 13 appearances for the Stars and Stripes.

Rapinoe had a huge performance with four assists and one goal. Horan added to her two assists on Thursday, she had a goal on Sunday.

Pugh continues to solidify her spot as a starter with another early goal for the USWNT. Her pace is deadly when she is sent in on one v. one situations and is establishing herself valuable weapon moving forward.

2. Lloyd scores no.100

It was a historic moment for the longtime USWNT player, Lloyd’s first-half goal saw her reach 100 career goals in the U.S. kit.

She is now tied fifth all-time in career goals scored in USWNT history.

1. Shoe in for World Cup 2019?

The CONCACAF spots for the 2019 Women’s FIFA World Cup will be decided in October’s tournament. With Mexico being the main opposition for the USWNT at the competition these two results look to be indicative that the U.S. should have no issue qualifying for the World Cup.

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As the World Cup looms, the U.S. appears to be indeed the no.1 team in the world. These two dominating performances have only solidified the SheBelieves Cup title in March. The Tournament of Nations will be the next big tournament for the U.S. in July. If they can get a result there then this year will be just what they need heading into 2019.