The U.S. women continue their quest for glory in the first-ever CONCACAF W Gold Cup, as they match up against rivals Mexico in the final game of group stage play.
Twila Kilgore has this USWNT side already locked into the knockout stage, but they have not yet locked in the top spot in Group A. Mexico could jump them with a win, but a draw would see the U.S. through with a first-place finish.
The W Gold Cup has been formatted to include a quick turnaround to allow top teams to prepare for the summer’s Olympic games, and the U.S. women will relish the chance to test themselves with just two days rest between group games.
The Sporting News is following the USWNT vs Mexico match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as they happen.
USA vs Mexico live score
| Score | Goal scorers | |
| USA | – | – |
| Mexico | – | – |
Kickoff: 10:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. PT
Location: Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson, CA)
Referee: Melissa Borjas Pastrana (HON), VAR: Drew Fischer (CAN)
Starting lineups:
USA (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Naeher (GK) — 23. Fox, 2. Dahlkemper, 5. Sauerbrunn, 19. Dunn — 10. Horan, 17. Coffey, 16. Lavelle — 22. Rodman, 11. Smith, 6. L. Williams.
Mexico (4-5-1, right to left): 21. Barreras (GK) — 5. Luna, 4. Bernal, 14. G. Espinoza, 2. N. Hernandez — 11. Ovalle, 16. Nieto, 15. Ferral, 8. Delgado, 7. M. Sanchez — 9. Palacios.
USA vs Mexico live updates, highlights, commentary
45 mins to kickoff: Mexico will line up in their greens today, with the U.S. in white. It’s a very interesting lineup for head coach Pedro Lopez, as he changes out his front line after the 8-0 win over the Dominican Republic, but not with those expected to come in.
Diana Ordonez is swapped out of the XI, replaced not by veterans Stephany Mayor or Charlyn Corral, but instead by an extra defensive midfielder as 31-year-old Cristina Ferral comes into the side.
#Women | Green always suits us well💚🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/f4qSuGvE1X
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) February 26, 2024
1 hour to kickoff: The U.S. lineup is in. Alyssa Naeher returns in goal, and the side is, largely, a first-choice squad for Twila Kilgore. The only guaranteed starter not appearing is Naomi Girma, who is rested again ahead of the knockout stage, replaced by Abby Dahlkemper. Additionally, Sam Coffey takes the No. 6 position with Emily Sonnett on the bench, and Alex Morgan is sat in favor of Lynn Williams.
🔒-in. pic.twitter.com/GY61AycEGX
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 27, 2024
1 hour 15 mins to kick: The USWNT has blasted Mexico in recent memory. They have not conceded a goal to their border neighbors in six straight matches, a run of 606 consecutive shutout minutes, dating back to the 24th minute of a crazy 6-2 U.S. victory in 2018.
They have won 16 straight overall against Mexico, their fifth-longest winning streak against any single opponent in history, outscoring Mexico 65-4 in that span. That is part of a larger, and truly bonkers, 80-game unbeaten run against CONCACAF opposition on home soil, with 78 wins and two draws across that run going all the way back to December of 2000.
The @USWNT has won the last 16 matches over Mexico, outscoring them 65-4 over that span 😳🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FySdOxWPK6
— Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast (@SOTUWithAlexi) February 26, 2024
1 hour 30 mins to kick: Looks like the USWNT will go with their white paint splatter kit tonight for the final group match of the 2024 W Gold Cup.
The USWNT is ready for more action! 🇺🇸🤩 pic.twitter.com/6hmIbU54zs
— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) February 27, 2024
1 hour 45 mins to kick: With the U.S. women in Carson, CA for their W Gold Cup group matches, now retired national team players Christen Press and Tobin Heath were on hand to watch the LA Galaxy take on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami yesterday. They were treated to a dramatic finish!
👋 @ChristenPress 👋 @TobinHeath
Stars are out in Cali. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ekvu12JY5w
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 26, 2024
2 hours to kickoff: Alex Morgan’s presence keeps her as the most popular player in this U.S. women’s squad, but after the retirement of Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan has built herself into the most irreplaceable player in this USWNT team. She has an absolute motor, has a deadly vertical ball, and can score in multiple ways — the most prominent being with her head.
Horan is potentially one of the most underrated players in recent USWNT history, as she often toils in the shadows of flashier players. As this side looks to move forward from last summer’s disappointment, Horan will be a leader in that process.
10 – Lindsey Horan is the 7th @USWNT player to score a goal in 10 straight calendar years.
15 – M. Hamm (1990-2004)
14 – A. Wambach (2002-15)
12 – T. Milbrett (1992-2003)
12 – C. Lloyd (2010-21)
11 – S. Boxx (2003-13)
10 – A. Morgan (2010-19)
10 – L. HORAN (2015-24)Leader. pic.twitter.com/rbq9wnAj8k
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) February 24, 2024
USA vs Mexico lineups, team news
Interim head coach Twila Kilgore has mixed up her starting lineup for each of the first two W Gold Cup group stage matches to get players time, but has elected a strong XI for the group finale in preparation for the knockout round.
Alyssa Naeher returns in goal, while Sam Coffey gets a chance at the No. 6 over Emily Sonnett. Stud defender Naomi Girma is rested, as both Becky Sauerbrunn and Abby Dalhkemper are deployed at center-back, leaving in-form newcomer Jenna Nighswonger amongst the substitutes.
Players out injured include Mia Fishel who tore her ACL in pre-tournament training, as well as Mal Swanson who is close to a return from her serious knee injury but not quite there. Cat Macario remains in the final stages of her knee injury rehab but should be on the mend and back soon for Chelsea and in the mix thanks to the absence of both Fishel and Australia star Sam Kerr.
USA starting lineup (4-3-3): Naeher (GK) — Fox, Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Dunn — Horan, Coffey, Lavelle — Rodman, Smith, L. Williams.
USA subs (12): Murphy (GK), Campbell (GK), Girma, Nighswonger, Davidson, Krueger, Sonnett, Albert, Moultrie, Purce, Shaw, Morgan.
Mexico head coach Pedro Lopez rotated his forward unit against Dominican Republic, but has added a few wrinkles for this big game against a familiar opponent.
Most notably, Stephany Mayor, the only player on this roster with triple digit international caps, and fellow veteran forward Charlyn Corral are not in the XI, with Diana Ordonez instead replaced by an extra defensive-minded player in Cristina Ferral.
Inexperienced Esthefanny Barreras is the starter in goal after veteran Cecilia Santiago suffered a broken finger earlier this month. Young star Scarlett Camberos, primed for minutes after her winter move to NWSL side Bay FC, is also missing due to a hamstring injury.
Mexico starting lineup (4-4-2): Barreras (GK) — Luna, Bernal, G. Espinoza, N. Hernandez — Ovalle, Nieto, Ferral, Delgado, M. Sanchez — Palacios.
Mexico subs (12): Tajonar (GK), I. Gonzalez (GK), R. Reyes, Ki. Rodriguez, Ka. Rodriguez, A. Torres, Mauleon, Pelayo, Casarez, Mayor, D. Ordonez, Corral.
How to watch USA vs Mexico
- Date: Monday, Feb. 26, 2024
- Time: 10:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. PT
- TV channel (English): None
- Streaming (English): Paramount+
- TV channel (Spanish): ESPN Deportes
- Streaming (Spanish): ESPN+, Fubo
The English-language broadcast for the U.S. women in this W Gold Cup group stage match will be exclusively on streaming service Paramount+.
Meanwhile, there is a Spanish-language broadcast available on television from ESPN Deportes, which is available to stream on Fubo in the United States as well as ESPN+.
