USWNT boss after uncommon Mexico defeat: No ‘straightforward video games’ anymore

Interim United States girls’s nationwide crew coach Twila Kilgore said that her aspect face “no straightforward video games anymore” after a surprising 2-0 loss to rival Mexico in a Concacaf W Gold Cup group-stage conflict on Monday.

“It simply reveals how far the sport is coming and there isn’t any straightforward video games anymore,” Kilgore mentioned after the USWNT’s first defeat to Mexico since 2010. “If we do not care for enterprise and we do not execute, that is to be anticipated and we’ll step up and take possession of that.”

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It was simply Mexico’s second-ever win over the USWNT and comes after a disappointing run ultimately summer season’s Girls’s World Cup that resulted in a U.S. exit on the spherical of 16. Since Kilgore took over as interim coach after the World Cup, the USWNT was undefeated by means of eight video games till the defeat to Mexico.

Heading into the match, the U.S. had a lopsided lead within the Concacaf rivalry with a 40-1-1 file.

Monday’s outcome meant Mexico topped Group A with seven factors, whereas the USWNT completed second with six factors. Argentina completed third with 4 factors and the Dominican Republic coming final with zero factors.

“I believe that they had recreation plan, I believe we had recreation plan and easily they only executed theirs higher than ours,” Kilgore mentioned. “A part of that does should do with depth however typically might be measured by issues like tempo with the ball, but additionally defensive issues like successful first tackles and successful second balls.”

Each Mexico objectives — scored by Lizbeth Ovalle and Mayra Pelayo — got here from restart moments, an space Kilgore mentioned her aspect should enhance.

“First purpose got here from a purpose kick and [we] in all probability ought to have taken care of the primary ball, ought to have taken care of the second ball, had a chance to finish play after which did not, after which within the second purpose it got here from a throw-in,” Kilgore mentioned.

Mexico coach Pedro Lopez stays undefeated in all competitions since 2023, and mentioned Monday’s outcome was the very best he has achieved since taking cost in September 2022.

“I suppose sure due to the opponent,” Lopez mentioned. “I cherished the [8-0] Dominican Republic recreation, I preferred it so much, however in fact doing it towards the US is particular.”

Describing his crew as a “wolf in sheep’s clothes” earlier than the event, Lopez mentioned he nonetheless needs extra.

“Clearly that wolf was seen at this time,” he mentioned. “However I insist that for us it will be of no use if within the subsequent recreation we lose the [W Gold Cup] quarterfinals and we go down in historical past because the crew that solely beat the US at some point.”

Each Mexico and the USWNT have certified for the quarterfinal stage of the inaugural W Gold Cup however might want to wait on ultimate outcomes from Group B on Tuesday and Group C on Wednesday to seek out out their subsequent opponents. After Wednesday, the highest two groups from every group and two finest third place groups will qualify for the knockout levels.

Following the quarterfinals in Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium on March 2 and three, the semifinals and ultimate shall be hosted at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium on March 6 and 10, respectively.

After the event and later this spring, Chelsea boss Emma Hayes will take cost of the USWNT.