The inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup has been thus far, so good for the U.S. ladies’s nationwide staff, and the regional heavyweights hope to maintain it that method once they shut out the group stage in opposition to Mexico Monday.
The USWNT have already booked their spot within the quarterfinals after wins over the Dominican Republic and Argentina final week, and so they might safe prime spot in Group A with at the least a draw. A draw would go well with Mexico simply high quality, who’ve a three-point lead over Argentina and can be assured to advance with at the least a degree however might lock up second place even with a loss.
The principle factor to control in the course of the group stage finale will probably be objective distinction. The USWNT could possibly be one among three group winners that win all of their matches, and contemplating the groups that advance will probably be ranked based mostly on their level totals earlier than inserting them within the quarterfinals, the primary tiebreaker of objective distinction will probably be essential. The USWNT have the very best objective distinction within the competitors proper now with plus-nine and are anticipated so as to add to that rely which could possibly be dangerous information for Mexico, however even when they lose and Argentina win, Argentina might want to overcome a objective distinction hole of 12 to overhaul them in second.
Here is what it’s essential know earlier than tuning in.
watch
- Date: Monday, Feb. 26 | Time: 10:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Dignity Well being Sports activities Park — Carson, Calif.
- Dwell stream: Paramount+
Storylines
The USWNT have handled this competitors as an opportunity to experiment with the broader participant pool, and so every of their video games have supplied some necessary learnings. Chief amongst them is the truth that some gamers have actually risen to the event, with Olivia Moultire and Midge Purce shining within the 5-0 win over the Dominican Republic and Jaedyn Shaw standing out within the 4-0 win over Argentina.
Interim head coach Twila Kilgore has opted to closely rotate and adjusted all her starters however one in between the 2 video games — versatile midfielder Korbin Albert. With the knockouts nearing, there is a huge query forward of the sport in opposition to Mexico: Will the USWNT teaching workers use this event to experiment but once more, or start to reward those that have carried out nicely in coaching and video games? Most everybody has began one sport at this level so the lineup in opposition to Mexico could possibly be a revealing one, or maybe a final likelihood for many who have but to make their case to take action earlier than the knockouts start.
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Prediction
This is perhaps an experimental model of the USWNT but it surely’s clear with tickets to Paris on the road, even a much less conventional group is raring to carry out. Whatever the lineup Kilgore picks, the USWNT are anticipated to get the job accomplished and advance to the knockouts on a excessive. Choose: USWNT 3, Mexico 0