The perseverance of Sophia Smith on a warm Harrison, New Jersey day, was ultimately rewarded in the second half and the U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team won a pre-Olympic friendly against Mexico on Saturday afternoon, 1-0, against their regional rivals.
Despite dominating play and outshooting the visitors 17–3, the Americans had to wait nearly 20 minutes into the second half before making the breakthrough. But once gained, that advantage was never in jeopardy as the USA won handily for the third time in three games under head coach Emma Hayes.
Prior to the start, U.S. Soccer during the “Impact 99” Legacy Match, sponsored by New York Life, and the sell-out audience of 26,376 at Red Bull Arena recognized all 20 members of the legendary 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Championship squad.
The 2024 squad was fired up and onto the field early in Saturday’s game after spending time and having a meeting with the 99ers on Friday.
In the first four minutes of play, the Americans had three more shots on target than the entire Concacaf W Gold Cup group-stage meeting between the countries in February. Smith and midfielder Rose Lavelle tested Mexico goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras.
That day in Carson, California, La Tri triumphed, defeating the USWNT 2-0 for just the second time ever in 43 meetings. On Saturday, though, the hosts seemed committed to preventing a second consecutive loss to their neighbors, and the Mexicans were charmed by the score. The early goal failed to materialize despite multiple opportunities. Phoenix, Arizona native Barreras, who plays for Pachuca, had four saves in the first half, stopping Smith’s attempt from close range in the 22nd minute with great finesse.
Mexico, which is rated twenty-ninth, only managed one shot in the first half, and that came in the fortyth minute. Despite this, its press caused some confusion for the American back four.
The Americans kept their foot on the throttle when they emerged from the locker room in pursuit of the first run, and Barreras prevailed in another fight with Smith in the 52nd. It took eleven minutes to arrive, but Smith’s perseverance paid off.
The United States took a 1-0 lead thanks to her sixth goal of the day and fifth on target. Lavelle’s long pass out of the back, which Rodman caught on the right wing, set up the play. Swanson received a center feed from her, and after a few touches, slid the ball left to Smith.
Smith’s goal moved her into a tie with Jaedyn Shaw atop the 2024 scoring record. It was her 20th goal for the USWNT and her fifth this year. Smith has also set a new personal record by participating in goals in four straight games with four goals and one assist in her last four appearances.
In the 73rd minute, after being passed through by Swanson, she nearly scored her second goal of the day, but her shot struck the post. In the 75th, Smith then gave way to Lynn Williams. Washington Spirit striker Croix Bethune, an Olympic alternate who made her USWNT debut by replacing Swanson in the 82nd minute, was one of Hayes’ six second-half replacements.
