USWNT stuns Mexico with overtime thriller advancing to World Cup quarters

In a game riddled with drama and plot twists, the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team came out on top 3-2 against Mexico to advance into the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The Sunday clash, staged in Bogotá, ended with a dramatic extra-time winner from Jordynn Dudley as the team secured an emotional win against their Concacaf rival.

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A hard-earned win

The whole game was hotly contested. Mexico, as it usually is, was well-prepared to take it to the Americans. Just 10 minutes in, the U.S. opened the scoring through one of the standouts on the team so far-Pietra Tordin. Mexico didn't back off, though. On a pretty play down the left, Montserrat Saldívar crossed to Val Vargas, who equalized in the 22nd minute.

What transpired afterward was a true battle, with both teams taking turns keeping the game. Shortly after the equalizer, Ally Sentnor once again put the U.S. up with a long-range shot that truly caught goalkeeper Renatta Cota by surprise. However, Mexico wasn't ready to give up. In the 39th minute, Saldívar showed up once again to beat the U.S. defense and equalize the score once more.

The brilliance of Jordynn Dudley

If there is one word to describe Jordynn Dudley in this game, then it is "decisive." This young Florida State forward came into the field in the 86th minute of the match when the pressure was already sky high and showed she was ready for the challenge. During regular time, she had given enough views that she might be the one who decided the game; in extra time, she delivered. In the 97th minute, Dudley received a pass from Yuna McCormack, beat Mexican defender Natalia Colín on the dribble, and placed a perfect shot over the goalkeeper to seal the win for the USA.

Coming off concussion protocol that had kept her out of the last two matches, Dudley made her World Cup debut in style: by coming through when her team needed her most.

A big step for the Americans

It's not just the quarters; sweet revenge after Mexico defeated the United States in the final of the 2023 Concacaf U-20 Women's Championship. Only 10 players from that roster faced off against the opponent on the pitch this time around, but the sentiment of redemption against their rival was not lost.

This win also means that the U.S. has returned to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, something it had not done since 2016. The team now dreams again for the title after early exits in the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Tracey Kevins' strategy

Credit to U.S. head coach Tracey Kevins for her game management. Having realized that Mexico would come out strong, Kevins made some telling changes from the off, including adding Taylor Suarez to a midfield that seemed tailor-made for this level of physicality. And it paid off inside five minutes as Suarez was the one who provided in the play to Tordin for the opener. In the second half, Kevins' changes proved to be telling: bringing on McCormack, whose assist led to the winning goal courtesy of Dudley.

Kevin knew at what moment to use what player, and that made a lot of difference in such a tight match.

What to expect from the quarterfinals?

Now, the U.S. prepares for their next challenge on September 15 at Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali. The opponent is yet to be determined, but expectations are high after the American team demonstrated strength, resilience, and talent during this knockout stage.

Whoever their next opponent may be, one thing is certain-the U.S. is all in, and Dudley's dramatic goal stands in proof that this team is ready to fight all the way to the end.