USWNT’s Shock Loss To Mexico Is Further Evidence Of Its Decline

(CTN News) – In case you needed more proof that the USWNT’s 2023 World Cup failure was evidence of a declining superpower, the U.S. women delivered.

For the second time in 14 years, they lost to Mexico.

In their third match of 2024, they proved that their flaws in 2023 transcended a clueless coach.

There was no millimeter difference. They proved that the World Cup wasn’t a fluke. An overmatched, underfunded regional rival outplayed, outshot, and out-did them all.

The USWNT had optimism before Monday. Young players impressed, a disruptive coach was incoming, and suspicions resurfaced – suspicions that 2023 was just a blip. After all, the Americans had only conceded two shots on target in four games. While they only won one of the four, Expected Goal (xG) models suggested they deserved to win all four. Could we have overreacted? Did the furor and fallout go too far?

In Southern California, that logic crumbled. Mexico’s goals were golazos, but they also revealed a truth. There were 13 shots by Mexico worth 0.88 xG, and nine by the USWNT worth 0.33 xG. Fullback Emily Fox’s 25-yard attempt was the only shot on target for the U.S., as Mexico earned nine corners.

I think Mexico was better than the USWNT for the first time ever.

Sam Coffey said Mexico deserved to win. But that doesn’t mean Mexican programs are better. However, their trajectories might one day converge someplace beneath women’s soccer’s elite. Mexican women’s football is growing; USWNT is declining. Defects with deep roots have consequences.

In the inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup’s group stage finale, they were as evident as ever. As Mexico went at the USWNT, U.S. players repeatedly failed to handle pressure. They had technical and tactical problems. Their sloppiness cost them the game.

Structures were simple, with a defined shape. Yet they didn’t have nuanced ideas. Lack of creativity and coordination. Forward Alex Morgan said not enough synchronized movements, angles, or cues were read. They stayed in New Zealand last summer, but it was the same staleness and panic.

Meanwhile, Mexico was calculated – and in many ways, it outplayed the USWNT. They won the day by winning second balls and duels they didn’t use to win; their defenders would draw in US forwards, then play long. A mistake by Becky Sauerbrunn in the 37th minute gave Mexico the lead.

It has pounced on mistakes for decades. U.S. opponents dominated regionally. Monday’s results were alarming. Mexico can compete physically with Portugal and the Netherlands last summer. A newfound structure can slow or stop the USWNT.

However, her skills are specific to the American system. Experts and insiders now say it produces a lot of good players, but few international stars. In some ways, it’s changing. Most elite European girls skip college and go pro. Jaedyn Shaw and Olivia Moultrie are among them. Moultrie scored twice in the opener. Against Argentina, Shaw scored twice. In Mexico, neither started.

Korbin Albert and Naomi Girma were also on the bench. USWNT already made it to Gold Cup quarterfinals. It’s not a dire situation right now. Because the U.S. roster is still stacked with talent, it might still win the tournament and win gold at the Olympics.

Now it’s flagrantly fallen from the top of women’s soccer. Mexico’s loss will be framed as a wake-up call, but it’s not anything to worry about. It’s a real problem team, and a real problem program.

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