USWNT Vs Mexico: 3 things we learned – CONCACAF tournament dream start
By Daniel Garza
The first match of the CONCACAF Women’s Tournament got off to a fantastic start for the USWNT with a sensational 6-0 win. Here are three things we learned.
It couldn’t have gone any better for the United States Women’s National Team on Thursday night in the opening match of the CONCACAF Women’s Tournament.
This competition will decide the representatives for the region at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the U.S. had a dream start: A 6-0 victory over Mexico gave the USWNT a statement win against arguably the toughest competition they will face in the group stage.
USWNT Vs Japan: 3 things we learned. light. Related Story
This match was a tale of two halves. It was only a 1-0 advantage at halftime for the USWNT. Megan Rapinoe had struck early in the match to give the Americans the lead but they failed to double their advantage in the remaining minutes of the first half.
Happy Hour. Pinoe 🍷 on special. pic.twitter.com/3V1Rq2c88b
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 4, 2018
In the second half, the USWNT wasted little time to stretch their lead to two goals. Julie Ertz found the back of the net in the 47th minute.
Who wants dessertz? 🙋♀️pic.twitter.com/79MMIBZD7B
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 5, 2018
Following Ertz’s goal, the USWNT took full control of the match as they would go on to score four goals in a 23-minute span. Alex Morgan scored two of the goals to record a brace with Tobin Heath and Rapinoe scoring the rest.
Us currently: 😵🤤🤯@crysdunn_19 x @TobinHeath pic.twitter.com/1Gbee63Swm
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 5, 2018
There was little to do for goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Mexico only managed to get three shots during the 90 minutes and only one was on target.
As the U.S. prepares to face Panama on Sunday, here are three things we learned from this opening win.
3. Firing on all cylinders
It may have been easy for the USWNT to overlook Mexico on paper as they should be able to comfortably make it out of their group. The USWNT are the best team in the group by some distance and should, in theory, be able to waltz their way through. But sport is not played in theory. You have to actually win the matches. And that is precisely what the USWNT did.
A slow start in the first half was put to rest by the superb second-half display. Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan were the usual suspects leading the way offensively, each scoring two goals, with Rapinoe’s first being the crucial difference between the two teams in the first half.
Meanwhile, the backline held Mexico to very few opportunities as the offense took some time to gain its full effect. By full time, this was a USWNT firing on all cylinders. That makes for enthralling viewing indeed.