HARRISON, NJ – Even though it was just three months ago, the U.S. women’s national team’s final game against Mexico may have been part of a different era.
Which, in many ways, it was.
The USWNT was held by Mexico in the Gold Cup in February, a 2-0 loss that was only the second against its neighbors to the south and the first on American soil. It was a low for a top-flight program, in some ways a bigger disappointment than last summer’s round-of-16 loss to Australia and New Zealand, their first exit from the World Cup. World or Olympics.
Losing Mexico five months ago was a loss she was thankful for, Emma Hayes said Friday. Hired as the coach of the USWNT but not yet on the job at the time, the loss gave him the opportunity to return home, along with the team.
“We can step in and get things right,” Hayes said Friday. “There is no loss, only learning, and I think there has been a lot since then.”
Join Team USA: See which athletes made the US Olympic team and where they came from
That was evident on Saturday, when the USWNT beat Mexico 1-0 in a game they dominated.
Yes, the team was still struggling to finish. It was as good as Sophia Smith’s goal in the 64th minute – from the right side, Trinity Rodman crossed to Mallory Swanson, who slipped the ball to Smith, who caught the defender Mexico before he hid the ball – three could. they had another four or five goals.
But the USWNT that looked like they were playing with cement in the ropes and doubts in their minds are now playing with the authority that was once their trademark.
“I think (Hayes) really allowed us to step up to the next level, skill-wise,” Crystal Dunn said.
This was the USWNT’s first game since Hayes named her 18-man roster for Paris, since she ditched Alex Morgan and put her faith in the next generation of talent. It is by no means a finished product. Winning a medal at the Paris Olympics, let alone another gold, will be a huge challenge.
But there are signs of progress. And it’s sure to improve over time under Hayes, who didn’t officially take charge until Chelsea’s season ended at the end of May.
“There is no opposition when the game opens, we succeed. My goal is to always be successful,” Hayes said. “We still have a lot to learn as a team, as a team. But if we use March as a reference point, then I think it’s fair to say that this game was more limited, more controlled.
“So, go the right way.”
No team is going to finish every chance they get. But at last summer’s World Cup, and the Tokyo Olympics before that, the USWNT seemed to stop just as much as their opponents did. He scored just four goals at the World Cup, and his only three came in the first game against Vietnam.
Just getting the ball into the final third was a challenge, with passes often being denied in midfield. As they circled the box, the Americans often seemed to think too much about each step they took, by the time they fired, the opportunity had passed.
There were still others from that Saturday against Mexico. In the 22nd minute, Rodman went to Smith when he probably should have shot himself. In the 52nd, Smith hit the goal post but still couldn’t convert.
But it came. There is power in Rodman, Smith and Swanson, individually and as starters, and when they use it, they will be scary.
“I think we have that naturally, but we’ve been working on it,” Smith said after the game. “I think we understand each other well. I think that’s what separates us from the others. I feel like I know what Mal is going to do when he gets the ball, I feel like I know what Trin is going to do. We can all deal with that.
“It’s easier to play against players you know their habits,” Smith added. We have learned well from each other and will continue to do so.
This game against Mexico was a good yardstick to measure how much progress the USWNT has made in these first two months with Hayes. That the final against Mexico feels like a distant memory is a good sign.
Follow USA TODAY Sports writer Nancy Armor on social media @nrarmour.
#USA #wins