USA vs Mexico score, live updates, highlights from USWNT in W Gold Cup group stage

By | February 26, 2024
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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.

MORE: A full look at the standings, schedule, and results from the entire 2024 W Gold Cup

USA vs Mexico live score

  Score (18′) Goal scorers
USA 0 –
Mexico 0 –

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

USA vs Mexico: First Half

17th min: The U.S. has its best move forward, but it doesn’t come to much after Rose Lavelle charges through midfield and is closed off. The early stage of this match is essentially a manifestation of the “do something” meme. We’re collectively poking Dignity Health Sports Park with a stick.

10th min: In the aftermath of another Mexico foray into the USWNT final third, which ends with the offside flag being raised, Emily Fox requires medical attention, possibly for a bloody lip.

A minute later, Lizbeth Ovalle takes a whack to the face from Lindsey Horan, and she’s down needing treatment. Horan probably got away with a potential booking there, that’s a nasty trailing arm.

4th min: Mexico have shown real intent here early on, looking to hit on the counter-attack and venturing forward through the U.S. midfield a few times. They earn the match’s first corner in the process, which is dealt with awkwardly by Alyssa Naeher as she punches clear to the opposite flank.

Kickoff: They’re under way at Dignity Health Sports Park! There was speculation on the Paramount+ pregame show that the U.S. could play in a 3-4-3 formation with Crystal Dunn in midfield, but at least from the kickoff, that doesn’t appear to be the case, as they come out in a traditional 4-3-3.

USA vs Mexico: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more

15 mins to kickoff: U.S full-back Emily Fox highlights “counter-measures” will be important in defense today against Mexico, while noting the USWNT squad does know goals are important for the group standings.

30 mins to kickoff: Let’s break down the scenarios for the USWNT tonight. They have already confirmed a spot in the knockout stage, but need to secure at least a draw 

Now let’s look at their possible knockout round seeding. The CONCACAF W Gold Cup uses a reseeding table to set the bracket in the knockout stage. A top-two finish sees the U.S. draw one of the two third-place qualifiers, which is key. They sit one goal back of Canada in differential, but have an enormous 7-goal differential advantage over Brazil. Thus, if they win tonight, they should be set for a top-two seed.

If, however, they fail to win, it would open the door for a Brazil victory over struggling Panama to jump them on points and leave the U.S. to face a second-place finisher in the quarterfinals. Or, worst of all, defeat would mean they would finish behind Mexico in second and have a very difficult first knockout game. A convincing win still has significant competitive value tonight, more than just being a momentum builder.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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+.

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