U.S. Gets Tough to Shut Out Mexico

Physique overcame finesse and a one-touch team was defeated by one tough team.

The United States women’s national team, powered by Shannon Boxx in midfield and by Abby Wambach and Cindy Parlow up front, rolled over Mexico, 3-0, in front of 17,805 fans Sunday afternoon at University Stadium on the University of New Mexico campus.

Neither Boxx nor Wambach scored, but the way in which they threw themselves into every challenge for the ball was enough, if not to intimidate Mexico’s players, then certainly to throw them off stride.

Twice, Mexico Coach Leonardo Cuellar was off the bench protesting a charge by Parlow on Patricia Perez and later a sliding tackle by Boxx on Monica Vergara, to no avail.

The teams are headed for the Olympics, so the result was of little importance other than in continuing to establish the two-time world champion U.S. as the dominant women’s power in the region.

The Americans have a 13-0-0 record against their southern neighbors in a series dating to 1991. But winning has been getting more difficult lately. Cuellar continues to help his players grow in both ability and confidence.

Mia Hamm, who scored the second of the three U.S. goals Sunday, her 149th for the national team, said she has been impressed by Mexico’s rise over the past year or so.

“They’re not afraid of anyone now,” she said. “I think their performance in getting into the Olympics has given them that much more confidence.

“There’s a buzz right now in Mexico about this team and you can see that in the eyes and faces of their players. It doesn’t matter who they play, they feel they have a chance.”

That much was evident in the first half, when Mexico played the U.S. even for 45 minutes. The Americans did most of the attacking, but the Mexico defense, with outside backs Lisa Gomez and Perez particularly impressive, held firm.

It took the U.S. until the 52nd minute to take the lead. The goal came when midfielder Julie Foudy sent a shot in from about 18 yards that Parlow deflected past goalkeeper Jennifer Molina and a couple of defenders from about four yards.

“For us, it just about continuing to find ways to win,” Hamm said. “It’s not always going to be pretty, but we have to find them.”

She said the U.S. had some scoring opportunities in the first half but didn’t put them away.

“In the second half I think we just refocused,” Hamm said. “Julie kept telling us we needed to be more patient. As soon as we figured that out, I think we were a lot more effective.”

Hamm doubled the U.S. lead in the 64th minute, taking a pass from Wambach and steering a low shot beneath the diving Molina.

Lori Chalupny, one of seven substitutes used by Coach April Heinrichs, made it 3-0 in the 87th minute with her first goal for the national team.

“I got the ball at the top of the box and I was amazed at how much time I had; it felt like it was forever,” Chalupny said. “I was just focusing on keeping the ball on frame and getting a decent shot off. It turned out pretty well.”

Mexico’s offense was seldom in the game, forwards Maribel Dominguez and Iris Mora frequently finding themselves stranded and outnumbered. The U.S. took 26 shots to six for Mexico and led, 10-1, in shots on target.