Losing 2-0 in Women’s Gold Cup

By Associated Press

Mexico beat the United States for the second time, getting goals from Lizbeth Ovalle and Mayra Pelayo for a 2-0 victory Monday night in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup.

The US entered the game 40-1-1 against its rival, with its only previous loss a 2-1 decision during Women’s World Cup qualifying in 2010.

It was the first loss for the US under interim coach Twila Kilgore, who took over after the team’s dramatic exit from the Women’s World Cup last summer in the round of 16. Emma Hayes will take over for Kilgore this spring.

Mexico, which failed to qualify for last year’s World Cup, finished atop Group A in the Gold Cup while the United States finished second. Both teams advanced to the knockout round.

“They went out and they were bold, they were brave with the dream of playing a good game against the United States,” Mexico coach Pedro Lopez Ramos said.

Ovalle, who plays for Tigres of Monterrey, put Mexico ahead in the 28th minute. US defender Becky Sauerbrunn tried to defend Ovalle but kicked the ball right at her.

Ovalle floated a shot over goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and two US defenders into the net.

It was the first goal conceded by the US to a CONCACAF opponent in 33 matches.

“I think it just shows how far the game is coming, and there’s no easy games anymore. And if we don’t take care of business and we don’t execute, this is to be expected,” Kilgore said. “We’ll step up and take ownership in that, and I think any group willing to take ownership in things like this is a good thing for the tournament’s future. Everything’s still on the table, and we’ll be motivated, that’s for sure.”

United States forward Sophia Smith, front, falls while going for the ball against, from back left to right, Mexico defender Rebeca Bernal, midfielder Alexia Delgado, and defender Cristina Ferral during the CONCACAF Gold Cup women’s soccer tournament match on Feb. 26, 2024. Credit: AP/New York Post

 

Sauerbrunn took full responsibility for the goal on the field and in the locker room afterward. 

“As a veteran, you know, you have some rough days at the office, and tonight is rough,” she said. “Luckily, you’ll have another day at the office, and it’s just what you make out of it.

 

Mexico nearly scored again in the first half of the stoppage time, but Karla Nieto’s shot from the distance hit the crossbar.

 

United States goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher blocks a shot attempt during a CONCACAF Gold Cup women’s soccer tournament match against Mexico on Feb. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. AP

Kiana Palacios had a good chance to give Mexico a cushion but her shot hit defender Abby Dahlkemper and bounded away.

 

By that time, Mexico could feel its momentum.

 

Pelayo scored from distance in stoppage time, and Mexico’s players celebrated wildly on the field.

 

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“If we lose in the quarterfinals, then the beautiful win of today is useless,” Lopez Ramos said through a translator. “I hope that this is not an isolated moment.”

 

The United States saw success from its teenagers in the tournament’s first two games. Olivia Moultrie, 18, scored twice in a 5-0 victory over the Dominican Republic, and Jaedyn Shaw, 19, scored a pair in a 4-0 victory over Argentina.

 

But Mexico played surprisingly tough, and the United States could not rebound after conceding that first goal.