USA-Mexico Women's Friendly Player Ratings

• by Mike Woitalla  @MikeWoitalla, Jul 1, 2021

The Mewis sisters combined on a goal, Christen Press struck twice, and Tobin Heath celebrated her return from injury with a golazo in the USA's 4-0 win over Mexico.

USA Player Ratings
(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)

GOALKEEPER

Alyssa Naeher punched clear a low cross from a Mexican free kick on the only test of her 45-minute appearance.

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

5
Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) 72/0 (33)

Right back Kelley O’Hara spent the evening giving the ball to Mexico with her poor passing -- plus overhitting a second-half chip for a goal kick. Left back Crystal Dunn attacked robustly in the second half, but her 61st-minute effort was neither cross nor shot after Lindsey Horan's pass put her in prime position. Dunn's other crosses were cleared by defenders. Central defender Abby Dahlkemper's mid- and long-range passes as usual were an important part of the U.S. game. She and Becky Sauerbrunn also extinguished all Mexican attempts to break through the middle.

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

3
Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit) 139/2 (32)

6
Abby Dahlkemper (Man. City, ENG) 70/0 (28)

6
Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns) 187/0 (36)

5
Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns) 115/24 (28)

Shortly after two atrociously hit passes in midfield, Sam Mewis' 16-yard shot deflected into the net off a defender to make it 1-0. Mewis shrugged off a defender and passed between two others to Megan Rapinoe during the buildup on the goal that made it 2-0. Kristie Mewis assisted with a short pass on Sam Mewis' goal. Lindsey Horan, who sparked the buildup on the USA's second and fourth goal, dominated the center of the field.

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

6
Sam Mewis (NC Courage) 76/23 (28)

7
Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns) 97/21 (27)

5
Kristie Mewis (Houston Dash) 25/4 (30)

From close range, Alex Morgan hit the post in the first half and headed high in the second half. She also blasted a ball across the goalmouth instead of considering better options. Her biggest contribution was her sharp, well-timed pass to Tobin Heath on the sub's long-range goal. Megan Rapinoe made up for some awful passes and mis-hits with her assist on Christen Press' goal and by setting up Kristie Mewis for the pass on Sam Mewis' goal. Press' second close-range goal was a deft strike while in stride. 

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

5
Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride) 179/110 (31)

7 
Christen Press (Manchester United, ENG) 148/62 (32)

6
Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign) 178/59 (35)

SUBSTITUTES

In her first U.S. appearance since December because of ankle and knee injuries, Tobin Heath scored a minute after coming off the bench with a 34-yard shot. Tierna Davidson came on as left back and delivered the perfect ball for Press to nick into the net.

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

5
Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns) 6/0 (30)

6
Tobin Heath (Unattached) 170/34 (33)

5
Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit) 55/0 (27)

5 
Catarina Macario (Lyon, FRA) 6/1 (21)

5
Carli Lloyd (Gotham FC) 305/125 (38)

6
Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars) 33/1 (22)

TRIVIA: In 40 games against Mexico, the USA has won 38, lost one and tied one.

July 1 in East Hartford, Conn.
USA 4 Mexico 0. Goals: S.Mewis 21, Press 39, 85, Heath 74.
USA -- Naeher (Franch, 46); O'Hara (Sonnett, 73), Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Dunn (Davidson, 78); S.Mewis, Horan, K.Mewis (Macario, 75); Press, Morgan (Lloyd, 78), Rapinoe (Heath, 73).
Mexico -- Alvarado; Lopez (Perez, 83), Sierra, Rodriguez, Orejel; Espinosa (Ovalle, 57), Antonio, Bernal (Reyes, 78), Mayor, Sanchez; Palacios (Martinez, 73).
Yellow cards: USA -- none; Mexico -- none. Red Cards: none.
Referee: Katja Koroleva (USA).
Att.: 21,637.

Stats:
USA/Mexico
Shots: 29/5
Shots on target: 7/1
Saves: 1/3
Corner Kicks: 8/3
Fouls: 5/3
Offside: 1/0
Possession: 58%/42%