Carson, California – The US Women’s National Team suffered a historic defeat on Monday night at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mexico emerged victorious with a 2-0 win in the Concacaf W Gold Cup group stage game, marking only the second time Mexico has beaten the USWNT out of 43 encounters.
This defeat was particularly significant as it ended the USWNT’s 80-game unbeaten streak on home soil against Concacaf opponents since 2000. Mexico’s Lizbeth Ovalle scored the opening goal, followed by a game-clinching long-distance strike by Mayra Pelayo in stoppage time. Trinity Rodman almost equalized for the U.S. in the 89th minute, but her shot missed wide.
USWNT forward Alex Morgan acknowledged the rising level of competition in Concacaf, emphasizing the impact of various global leagues on Mexico’s performance. The loss marked interim coach Twila Kilgore’s first defeat, as she took over following the team’s disappointing World Cup performance last summer. Emma Hayes is set to replace Kilgore as head coach later this spring.
With this victory, Mexico secured the top spot in Group A, while the U.S. settled for second place. Despite the loss, both teams had already clinched spots in the quarterfinals of the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup, with the USWNT dominating its previous games.
The USWNT, which had previously outscored its opponents in the tournament, faced a surprising setback against a determined Mexican squad. The defeat serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of women’s soccer in Concacaf and the competitive nature of the sport. Mexico’s triumph signifies a shifting dynamic in the region and sets the stage for renewed rivalry between the two teams in future matchups.