HARRISON, N.J. — For all the possession the United States women’s national team retained against Mexico on Saturday at Red Bull Arena — 70%, per TruMedia — the Americans’ best opportunities of the match came from transition moments when they decided to quickly play vertically to their agile front three.
Ultimately, it was a big ball played behind Mexico’s defense by USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle in the 64th minute that sent forward Trinity Rodman running toward goal. Rodman found forward Mallory Swanson at the top of the box, and Swanson swung the ball to forward Sophia Smith, who buried her right-footed shot for the only tally in a 1-0 U.S. victory.
U.S. head coach Emma Hayes called the performance “a step in the right direction,” but she was clear that there is much work to be done ahead of the Olympics, which begin July 25. Despite the possession, the Americans often played direct.
“I think we rushed our play a little,” Hayes said of Saturday’s first-half performance. “Intention is good, so I can’t fault [or] criticize the players for that, but it’s teaching them the right moments when to progress, when not to progress. And then, in and around the penalty box, how to access the right spaces in the right moments at the right…
