Claire -- Found your commentary a breath of fresh air. When I turned on the Mexico match at 30 mins and looked at the score and USWNT lineup, I said "Here we go again." The world has caught up and surpassed that lineup and their approach and/or abilities as a group. Win or lose, the U.S. has had problems against competitive teams for a long time, and especially since the 2019 WC. Jill Ellis was slow to change, but she did adapt. As you note, they haven't since, at least when it comes to teams that can compete with the U.S. Kilgore's post match comments begged the big picture. But U.S. fans, commentators and many of the players think that what the team was able to do vs. teams of the quality of DR and Venezuela is the USWNT's norm, but Mexico, like what happened at the WC, showed it's not. At least until Emma Hayes arrives. The team was lost out there vs. Mexico, and for whatever reason -- I'm not sure -- captain Horan didn't appear to take charge and bring them together, if not change the tactics. Speaking to offense... Looking at it broadly -- and international play only -- I've noticed that the USWNT has had problems scoring in the final 18 vs. competitive teams for a very long time. With Rapinoe and Wambach, it was often "home run" soccer. Very thrilling but not dependable, especially against an opponent like Japan that packed it in and needed to be broken down. That continued after Abby, but with less success. Individuals like Alex Morgan have long had a hard time scoring 1v1 or 1v2 on runs, despite many chances (Williams now too). And Sophia Smith tends to hold the ball too long, missing opportunities. As a team, there have been a lot of low percentage shot attempts in relatively crowded circumstances from above the 18, instead of taking time to work for a better shot. What I've noticed of Alex Morgan's greatest skills, par excellence in 2019, have been as a disrupter defensively and as a facilitator for advancing the ball well downfield, and perhaps as a decoy. What I haven't seen from her is anything in the final 18 like Macario or Swanson and apparently Fishel (didn't get to see Jade Shaw). What I saw from Perce, Moultrie, Nighswonger and sometimes Williams vs. DR were more of that kind. So to me there needs to be a fundamental reshaping of the team's approach and the personnel on the field, experience (mostly) aside. Thanks again for the commentary.

Congrats Mexico, you earned that win. Conversely, that was one of the worst games the U.S. has played since Vlatko resigned. From the starting eleven to the late subs and the game plan (?), the coaching was awry. Also, the players were disjointed. This was embarrassing all around... well unless you are Mexico.

USWNT only had two shots on goal. One at the 1st half and another one at the 2nd half. Mexico like 6 shots even though they had less possession. Mexico has a nice combination of Liga MX femenil home grown talent and Mexican Americans raised on the NCAA college soccer system but that now play and consolidated their soccer careers on Liga MX femenil. Also they created a sporting direction position for the Women's national teams and also Liga MX is having a lot of Spanish influence on the field and off the field from Jenni Hermoso, Andrea Pereira, Milagros Martinez , Angel Villacampa and Pedro Lopez. So that combination is helping Mexico to raise their level.

I'm not concerned about conceding the 2. One was a howler by Sauerbrunn, who was in for Girma, who's been the team's most consistent and best player. (Girma absolutely needs to be in the best, starting 11.) The second was a world-class strike allowed by some slightly passive defending. I continue to be concerned by the attacking chemistry and concepts. But before even getting to that, it's individual skill. The front 3 of Williams, Smith, Rodman is great to run past teams with inferior athletic ability and organization. It's terrible against quicker, tighter blocks because all three are individualists, whose first instinct is head down and dribble. They don't move and combine nearly well enough at the international level. Basically, they're forwards you want for playing a block-and-counter/direct style (classic Sweden), not a possession-based style. They don't pass and combine quickly and accurately. (I like Smith; don't get me wrong. But she's infuriating sometimes because, for all her individual brillance in poaching and finishing, she's often poor at hold-up play and passing. She's often feast or famine, and against good defenses, it's usually famine.) The wings of the 2011-2019 teams had craft (Rapinoe, Heath, Press, O'Reilly) that they used to combine and serve. This squad, as we saw in the WC, is often incapable of sustaining possession in the final third and executing the final pass. Now, the front 3 could work *if* the wings stay wide and isolate and *if* Lavelle facilitates behind them at the 10 and Horan provides support and point-changing at the 8. But Lavelle was also poor against Mexico (needs to stay healthy and get in form), while Horan is given too much license to roam touchline to touchline, which means it's one less mid in the center to provide a point-changing option and larger gaps if and when our mediocre passers turn it over. Now, you can tuck a wingback (usually Fox) in as an extra 6 ... but if you do that, then you're removing an extra wide option for the center backs. So takeaways ... we're desperately missing Swanson and Macario, who provide better combinations and creativity in the final third. (Even Thompson is going to get there soon; no one can keep up with her burst.) We need to use the width better by isolating the 7 and 11 and allowing them space to do what they can actually do. Then, instead of tucking the wingbacks, have them overlap sometimes. No one is going to stay with Fox and Dunn on an overlap, although I'd love to see more Nighswonger for the extra passing options a true left-footed 3 can provide on that flank. Better, faster ball circulation, Better use of width. SImply have to pass better, and when we do lose it, we need to counter-press with some actual venom and either win it back or foul to let us drop off. Glad we have a good opponent in Columbia coming up, but Hayes has her work cut out to pick the right Olympic roster (got to trust some young players) and get the attacking working at a higher, more precise level. Either that, or you play like classic Sweden and rely on the straight-line pace of Rodman, Smith, Williams, Purce to try to counter and generate set-pieces, but I really don't think we want to go that route. We want to be the modern, possessing, pressing team ... but then we need players who can play and think clearly at a higher tempo (shaking off the rust of the VA era).

I agree 100% with the idea of losing bravely, and we certainly didn't see that on Monday. Mexico exposed this lineup's weaknesses and induced a panic that couldn't be overcome. This result should light a fire under the US squad, but they need to appreciate that it's going to light a fire under everyone else, too. People forget that the USWNT didn't win a World Cup between 1999 and 2015. The hype leading up to the '23 World Cup placed a massive burden on the team -- it would have been more surprising to me if they had won than it was when they didn't. The team has always stood for more than simply winning, they've stood for the proposition that women's sports deserve attention and investment. In that sense, they've succeeded far beyond their record in any given year or event. Would the Emirates have sold out for a women's game without the USWNT's influence along the way?

I think Horan has struggled during this particular international window to mesh her playing style with the USWNT. It wouldn't usually be a problem when she's playing with other veterans, but she isn't new to the newer players. Also bear in mind that Europe has been back in season since January, and she has been competing with arguably one of the best teams in the world (Lyon) in biggest women's football competition, the Champion's League. She's been performing at a high standard over there with extremely experienced players, but hasn't quite switched her mentality back during this international window.

I had similar concerns looking at this lineup - you have the 4 slowest players on the team in the spine of the D and midfield. Like you mention, all these players are skilled and great on the ball, but Saurebrunn, Dalhkemper, Horan, and Coffey are not quick and cannot cover a lot of field individually. I think you can have either Horan and Coffey plus a player with pace (like a Sonnet or Demelo), but not both. You can have a Saurebrunn or Dalhkemper with a player with pace like Girma or Davidson, but not both. But, to have all 4 of these players in the middle of the field is just crazy to me.

If we had a back line that could break the Mexico press that entire game would have looked different. Mexico’s plan was to press our old and slow centerbacks and loop the ball over them and make them play facing their own goal and they couldn’t handle it. The veterans are overrated at this point and they need to go. Most of these “veterans” weren’t even starters in their prime…and now they are logging crucial minutes during their retirement age years. Truly awful.

this was the first uswnt game i watched in a while. anyone else think that theres a disconnect with lindsey horan in midfield. its like the whole team wants to play fast and counter and she plays like a build out of back slow/possession based player. same thing happened with michael bradley on mens team. that style works but everyone one the team has to commit to that. it also requires the players up top to make great runs so that lindsey could drop a pass on a dime to them.

This interim manager situation is not working. The US does not seem to be learning anything. Instead of building on success, every game seems like we are starting from square one again. This is a tournament, you need to build on success to make it through the knockout rounds. Conversely, Mexico started the tournament with a pretty ineffective 0-0 draw against Argentina. The next game they destroy the Dominican Republic and then beat the US. It feels like the current coach is just taking as many notes as possible for the real coach to read when she finally shows up.

The first thing that’s worrisome are the tactics used against this Mexico team. Having a 3 back against a direct team that has 3 up front is never good when defending or trying to play out of the back. First of all, the speed in the back was atrocious. All Mexico had to do was a play a ball in behind and they were in. Second of all, every time the US tried to build out they were man marked due to being in a 3 back. And it really made them hesitate and just bomb the ball long because there wasn’t any options. Sam Coffey is about the only player that had a good game. When she had the ball at her feet, she was very good with her distribution. But the options were limited because the US was too narrow and Mexico clogs the center of the field defensively. Offensively it just wasn’t good enough. Their whole offensive line disappeared at times. If it was me, at halftime it would have turned into a 4-2-3-1 with Sauerbrunn subbed out, Davidson or Girma on, Fox and Dunn on the flanks. Sonnet and Coffey in a double pivot to absolutely shut down the Mexican attack. Horan at the 10 to hold the ball and playmake. Put Morgan on for Smith up top since she’s actually scoring goals and let her be a lone 9. It was just horrible…

YES Casey Kruger!!!!!!! And so many others especially in the Jill era who just weren't the Madison Ave types but freakin damn great players never got serious chances. Really enjoyed the two of you sharing your viewpoints with us together, informative yet fun to watch!

It seemed the USWNT coaching staff badly underestimated Mexico, and the team was unprepared for what they could bring. The game plan was poor -- holding such a high back line, for example -- and they never made adjustments, even after getting burned. I hope that's just a Twyla Kilgore problem which will be remedied once Emma Hayes gets here.

Love your honest and insightful comments. Listening to those other fluffy post-game podcasts is patronizing. Mexico game was brutal flashback to World Cup. Nowhere to pass; passes are seldom delivered to players in stride. As in World Cup, Horan seemed a step slow and lavelle & smith didn’t get ball in positions to create and had no impact. How is that possible? Smith has really been lost this tournament. Also as in WC, it seems like opponents are purposely leaving Dunn unchecked because they WANT her to carry ball (her passing is not very good). The deft “pass and cut” offensive triangles of Argentina game disappeared under the Mexican press. Players without ball failed to shift into emerging gaps to create easy passing lanes. Without those line-breaking triangles, the beautiful offensive crosses of initial 2 games vanished. Would like to see Horan replace Morgan as tip of spear and use her size there in front of the goal (ala wambach). And please please replace Dunn or move her back to sweeper (she’s a great defender) so US can upgrade its transition threat and create strong advantages when advancing ball on left side. It’s just one game, but old crew brought back old results.

Great analysis 👏

Emma Hayes save us!

That tv in the back sure is leaning forward alot like it's about to tilt over

The first goal was not a beautiful long ball…it was a turn and boot blooper over the top of the defense and Becky just bungled it….

You reference it at the end but I would love to hear an analysis on Jamaica’s soccer federation. I don’t think it’s getting enough attention. Jamaica could be one of those dominating international teams. I don’t know enough about what’s happening with their women’s team and why they aren’t getting the funding and resources to compete.

The starting line up against Mexico is not the future...jeez Smith, Rodman and Williams were mostly unseen/zero impact. Even Rose Lavelle seems to have lost her magic. Start the young players: Moultrie, Shaw, Longschwiger, etc.

Hello Claire. I enjoyed this discussion and summary of the Mexico game. Rather than pick holes, since you mentioned these were group games, I would just point out that Spain lost to Japan at the World Cup in the group stage. The point is to get out of the group. Winning every match means nothing, but it was a huge result for Mexico, who played really well. I understand how winning every match can become an expectation, since I am English and I spent time in US. I cannot see Emma Hayes losing sleep about it. She is a realist and will have made sure that the next World Cup is the target. The US are at least at the Olympics. I am watching the Gold Cup with interest, but note that Australia, Spain, France and Germany are better teams than US at present, judging from seeing their games for qualifying. I reckon France will be the one to beat this summer, looking at how Paris FC have improved this last year and the recent PSG v OL game. I also watch Barcelona women and you can see how Mexico are learning from Spanish football. Skill and tactics have won out over athletic ability since the opponents of US went professional. Good luck to US in Gold Cup, but I have to say "Come on Canada!" for a fellow Commonwealth country.

Have you heard anything about Cat Macario? How much has she lost from this surgery (and I don't mean fitness)?

Sooner or later the experienced players have to go, sooner or later you got to play the youngsters. why keep delaying the inevitable? the longer you delay that step the harder will become to have a smooth transition.

A big issue is that these players are starting to plateau in skills and not improving. The only exception i see is gothams coach elevating the players.

*What this team needs is the following: (1) A coach like Anson Dorrance (2) The formation must be 3-4-3 with an emphasis on pressing (3) A change of mentality . To try to make every team they play against suffer for 90 minutes and this should be the team specialty. The team must be a reflection of the American spirit.*

Lose? It was an ole fashion butt whooping.

This is the best analysis on the women’s game that I have seen in the last couple of years. This team has lost it’s BRAVERY instincts over the last few years. They have lost the will to throw their bodies around. A person cannot say such things or the people protecting this team jumps all over you. This is a contact sport ,people do and will get hurt. The team MUST play with bravery or they won’t beat the best teams. Mexico went out and played like monsters.bump,grinding and kicking. The USA 4 years ago used to play just like that. Those days are gone for now. THEY HAVE THE TALENT BUT NOT THE GUTS!!!

I'm a fan of Sophia Smith but she's not a 9, her skills are much more effective playing from the wing. I'm not a huge Perse fan but after her impact in game 1 I was surprised she wasn't starting this game. This felt like the personal didn't match the game plan, William's and Rodman were notably non existent, their games presented no challenges to Mexico

Sonnett is awful, as is Dunn, Saurbrun, Morgan. Alot of the younger players I'm not too sure about, whether they are good enough. Kilgore is absolutely terrible, as is Kevins etc etc. Emma needs to hire her new staff, and totally cleanse the program from any vestages from the past regime.

The midfield needs to control the flow of the game more and be dynamic and creative, when this doesn't happen it seems everything falls apart.

They have the wrong mix of players. They can continue to try and make it work but it’s not.

Yes Football 👍🏻

Corbin Albert should play more

Sophia Smith needs to go to Europe and play there like she’s fucking Amy taking Jo’s spot to go with Aunt March in Little Women. Pronto. She has not proved herself since coming onto the team in 2020.

Mexico played well, they deserved to win. But, I do care about Mexico or any other opponent tbh. This is supposed to be an experimental time to rebuild the USWNT. I thought we’d established from the first two games that a MIX of experience and youth is what we needed. When I saw this line up, I immediately got WC flashbacks. Emily Sonnet being the first substitution really sent me over the edge. Twila is really still Vlatko’s assistant coach, cause WTF? Also, please tell me what Horan can do that can’t be replicated by Shaw, Albert, Moultrie or Demelo? I see these young players with the agility and space to grow in these roles. Let them play so we can truly find our best 11 because we’ve proven that this group is NOT it.

why do you not t address Smith and Rodman who have produced not very much from WC and on.

The U.S. players are just not that good. It makes you appreciate the greatness of Mia Ham and Abby Wamback. Those players were generational talents and time and a lot of mediocrity will teach you to appreciate a great player more.

USWNT always closing the stable door after the horse has bolted

This teams needs to play more Europe. Things are just amis! It’s embarrassing 🤦🏽

Making a case against a 107th ranked team common Sandra?

So Sandra Herrera is not in her own show Attacking Third because she is supposedly on vacation but she joins this show? 🤔🤔🤔🤔

"let's pod" 😂

Emma needs a complete new team of staff!

No matter what happens, the girls are going to win the gold medal at the Olympics with Emma Hayes.

They’ve become politicians not ballers. No Hatch, Sánchez, Pugh or Sullivan doesn’t help.

To lose to Mexico who is ranked out of the top 10 is sad. Canada will win this tourney from the looks of things.

How come nobody is talking about the fans letting down the USWNT with their lack of attendance? That could have been the difference in this game.

Its Twilas fault. No one wants to address it

Father Time has visited the USWNT but the coaches don’t see the signs. Becky Sauerbrunn and Alex Morgan were added after the camp started because of injuries to Alana Cook and Mia Fisher. I understand why they needed additional players but why add these two warhorses. Becky Sauerbrunn is finished and looking at the replay of the game you can clearly see that her performance had declined. I have always liked her leadership but it is time for her to step aside. She has a fork in her back because she’s done. When the USWNT lost Mia Fishel the first thing they did was call up Alex Morgan and she played the same day! What type of bench do we have when we need these two warhorses who won’t be at the Next World Cup or even this year’s Olympics? It is time to move on and the quicker the better. The USWNT relies too much on past performances to keep the older players vs cutting the cord and moving on. Soccer is a cruel sport and I appreciate those players who don’t go gentle into that good night but rage, rage, and rage into the dying light. However, this is why we have coaches who can make the tough decisions. In the 2011 World Cup Abby Wambaugh, Shannon Box, Heather O’Reilly, and Christine Rampone were major contributors. However in the 2015 World Cup all of them played MINOR roles in 2015. They were done and hanging on by treads. In the 2015 World Cup Carly Lloyd was a major contributor to the team but in 2019 she was done and having on by a thread. In 2019, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelly O’Hara all played key roles. However in 2023, they were all done as far as playing at an elite level but were still on the team (Sauerbrunn was injured but would have been on the team) Why didn’t the coaches see this and be as ruthless as Jürgen Klinsmann was in 2014 when he didn’t include Landon Donavan on the World Cup Squad. True the US Men lost but they always lose. It’s time to get tough and take some drastic steps to get the team ready to kick some but for the 2027 World Cup. I’m OK with losing with a young time vs trying to hang on with a bunch of players who should be on a cart head to the abattoir vs lacing up their boots on the pitch. Just saying.

Embarrassingly bad performance.

I think USA team maybe needs men that identify as women in their team . Because they are doing terrible

After a couple days to get over the embarrassment of losing "dos a cero", I think this loss isn't the disaster it seemed to be. I still question the starting lineup - which fell back on some of the bad habits of the Andonofski/WWC teams. While the US side only managed 1 shot on goal, Mexico pressed and tested the back line - obviously the focus of their game plan - but never really got in behind that back line. They had only 3 shots on goal, all from distance. Those shots are exciting to watch, but if Mexico wants to live by that particular sword, they better be prepared to lose by it as well. The US front line never had the coordination and rotation and activity of the first two games, so limited their chances to equalize. At the end of the day, Mexico's two goals came off some pretty silly US mistakes - not the end of the world and very repairable.