USWNT Vs Mexico: Preview – Last game of Send-Off Series

The USWNT will face off against Mexico in Harrison, New Jersey for the last game of the Send-Off Series. Here’s a preview of Sunday’s contest.

The days are numbered as the United States Women’s National Team prepares for the 2019 FIFA World Cup.

The Federation organized matches against other nations to prepare for the biggest tournament in soccer. Sunday’s match against Mexico will be the team’s final tune-up before they head off to England on Monday.

Mexico played Canada in Toronto last weekend in a 0-3 loss as the Reds also looked for to hone their preparations before heading to Spain. While Mexico did not qualify for this year’s World Cup, they welcome the opportunity to help test the progress of their work thus far. And they will provide awkward opposition for a USWNT that will need practice in breaking down deep-lying, stubborn defenses.

Jill Ellis will have her final opportunity at the Red Bull Stadium on Memorial Day Weekend to make any final tweaks or experiments that she deems necessary. Her team has played nine games this calendar year, winning six and scoring 26 goals.

Many fans question the USWNT has opted to play teams who are much further down the list in the FIFA rankings in preparation for the World Cup. Surely you would want some high-level competition to ensure you are ready to compete with the best in the world? But there is a method to the madness.

Due to plenty of attacking power from the Stars and Stripes, opponents tend to sit back and play on the counter. Tomorrow’s match will be the same with most of the players behind the ball and a couple waiting to break away. The pattern of the match changes greatly depending on the approach on the opponent, and if the U.S. are likely to face opponents that play in the manner that Mexico will on Sunday, that makes for a sensible Send Off selection.

Midfielder Lindsey Horan expressed that the team isn’t getting ahead of itself and taking things in stride. ‘We have a job to do tomorrow in playing Mexico and that will be a good game for us to get under our belt before we head off,’ she said.

Tomorrow’s game will be the last time the players are on the pitch until June 11 when they play against Thailand in their first group stage match. Until that time, there will be much speculation, forecasting and discussion. The USWNT, however, will want to do their talking on the pitch, starting on Sunday against Mexico.