Rapinoe Earns Assist in USWNT Win Over Mexico

The U.S. Women’s National Team played its first of two friendly matches against Mexico on Thursday night at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. There were 21,637 fans in attendance despite the extreme rainstorm that moved through. 

The friendly match featured two OL Reign players, one on each side. For the United States, Megan Rapinoe put in a 73-minute shift, while recent signee Jimena López played 83 minutes for Mexico. Rose Lavelle was available on the bench for the U.S., but did not feature in the match. 

The Mewis sisters combined in the 21st minute to open the scoring of the match and put the United States in the lead. Rapinoe started the buildup when she picked a ball off of the feet of a Mexico defender deep into their own half. Rapinoe found Kristie Mewis, who played the ball to Sam Mewis’ feet to beat Mexico goalkeeper Emily Alvarado. 

The U.S. doubled their lead in 39th minute on a goal from Christen Press. Sam Mewis orchestrated the goal when she played a ball out wide to a waiting Rapinoe, who slotted the ball to the six-yard box for Press to finish. 

Tobin Heath, who had been out since January dealing with an ankle and knee injury, scored a third goal for the United States in the 74th minute, on her first touch of the match from 36 yards out, after subbing in in the 73rd minute.  

Jimena López, who did well to defend the United States’ attacking play, as well as create offensive chances for Mexico, was subbed off in the 83rd minute. In the final minutes of the match, Press scored the last goal of the game flicking a cross from Tierna Davidson into the back of the net off a half bounce in the 85th minute to secure a 4-0 win for the United States. 

The two teams play again on Monday, July 5 at 2:00 p.m. PT at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. The match will be available to watch live on ESPN.