The U.S. 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 U.S. 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. U.S. defender Becky Sauerbrunn tried to defend Ovalle but
kicked the ball right at her. Ovalle floated a shot over goalkeeper Alyssa
Naeher and two U.S. defenders and into the net.
It was the first goal conceded by the U.S. 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 anytime you have a group that is willing to take
ownership in things like this, it’s a good thing for the future of the
tournament. Everything’s still on the table and we’ll be motivated, that’s for
sure.”
Sauerbrunn took full responsibility for the goal, both 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 definitely a rough day,” she said. “But luckily, you’ll
have another day at the office and it’s just what you make out of it.
Mexico nearly scored again in first-half stoppage time but
Karla Nieto’s shot from distance hit the crossbar.
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.
“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
first two games of the tournament. 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.
“I would say 2010, in that game, playing in Cancun, that
stadium, I think we were all a little bit surprised by that result of
qualifying for the World Cup,” said Sauerbrunn, who played in that loss 14
years ago. “I would say tonight that we never take any opponent for granted. I
think they had a game plan and they executed it better than than what we had
for our game plan. So that’s all on us.”
This is the first-ever Women’s Gold Cup, created to give
women’s teams in the CONCACAF region more competitive matches. Twelve teams
played group-stage matches across three cities: Carson, San Diego and Houston.
Argentina beat the Dominican Republic 3-0 earlier Monday in
Group A.
The teams will be re-seeded following the group stage, so
Mexico and the United States will have to wait to learn their opponents in the
quarterfinals.
“The fact that everyone in that locker room can say they
played a part in it is a big deal,” Diana Ordonez said afterward. “We’re just
really proud but we know that we still have work to do.” -AP